Richland County Sheriff's Office

Two Vehicle Crash in Ithaca Township

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At 8:01am on Monday June 5, The Richland County Sheriff’s Department 911 Center received a report of a 2 vehicle head on crash on Co Hwy N just east of Smurf Ln. in Ithaca Township.  A 2001 Chevrolet Impala operated by Chad Lovelace of Milton, WI was traveling eastbound on County N and entering a curve when a 2009 Pontiac car driven by Jennifer VonBehren of Hillpoint entered the same curve traveling westbound.  VonBehren crossed over the center line and struck the Lovelace vehicle in the front drivers area.  Both vehicles came to rest on the north side of the roadway.  Richland County EMS, Ithaca First Responders and the Richland Center Fire Department responded to the scene.   Jennifer VonBehren was injured but declined medical transport.  A juvenile passenger in her vehicle was not injured, and no injury was reported to Chad Lovelace.   Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

WHEN: 6/5/2017          TIME of Incident: 8:01 AM

ARREST or CHARGES: VonBehren was cited for operating left of center, and no insurance.  |  Lovelace was cited for operating after suspension, no insurance and was arrested for an outstanding warrant from the WI Dept of Corrections.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland County EMS, Ithaca First Responders and the Richland Center Fire Department

Traffic Stop leads to K9 Track and Felony OWI Arrest

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Richland County Dispatch received a report from a concerned motorist of a vehicle traveling westbound on State Hwy 56 near the village of Gillingham. Information was that the vehicle was driving recklessly and almost hit multiple vehicles head on. The vehicle eventually became stuck in a ditch near a private driveway just off of Hwy 56 by County Hwy H. Deputies arrived a short time later and the suspect ran from that location on foot. K9 Rambo was deployed and located Collins hiding from law enforcement in a grassy wood line nearby. Collins was taken into custody and transported to the Richland County Jail on multiple charges.

WHEN: 5/16/2017          TIME of Incident: 6:29 PM

ARRESTED: Kelly W. Collins, 48 of Richland Center, WI

ARREST or CHARGES: 946.41 Resisting or Obstructing Officer, 946.49(1)(b) Felony Bail Jumping, 346.63(1)(a) Operating while Intoxicated (5th Offense) (Felony), also cited for multiple traffic violations

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

Joseph Jakubowski Captured in Richland County

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Richland County authorities in conjunction with the FBI have confirmed a male subject identified as Joseph Jakubowski is in custody. Law Enforcement Agencies were notified at approximately 8:30 PM on 4/13/2017 and a perimeter was established. Other agencies arrived and Jakubowski was taken in to custody at 6:04 AM.

Joseph Jakubowski was a subject of a nationwide man hunt by the FBI, ATF and Rock County Sheriff’s Department since he was identified in the robbery of a gun dealer in Janesville, Wisconsin last week.

Jakubowski was at a property on County Hwy U south of the village of Viola, and was discovered last evening by the land owner. The land owner called the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department to report the male subject on his property.  [Read more…]

Skimmer Device – Press Release

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RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
Press Release
March 29, 2017
For Immediate Release

Chief of Police Lucas Clements reports that the police department received several debit card fraud complaints over the past weekend. Each complaint involved debit card numbers and their associated PIN being stolen and then used fraudulently on a cloned debit card.

This type of crime and method is consistent with thieves using a “skimmer” device that can be used to obtain credit or debit card information. The use of “skimmers” has become more common across the country in recent years, with “skimmers” typically being placed inside gas pumps, making them undetectable without opening the pump.

After the thieves place the “skimmer” inside a gas pump, they return after a period of time and remove the device and or simply collect the data, which consists of the credit or debit card information from customers paying at the pump.

While investigating the rash of debit card fraud complaints, Chief Clements states the police department contacted our local gas stations to assist in checking for “skimmer” devices. As a result, one “skimmer” device was located at Triangle Kwik Stop (TKS) on Sextonville Road and removed by law enforcement. No additional “skimmers” were located within the city.

TKS has added additional anti-tampering security features and monitoring to each of their pumps, there isn’t a concern of further accounts being compromised. [Read more…]

Attempted Theft of a Boat from Vetesnik Power Sports

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On March 27, 2017, deputies responded to a call of suspicious activity near Vetesnik Power Sports. Upon arrival, deputies located a boat and trailer blocking the roadway on Sawmill Road off of US Hwy 14. Deputies located a vehicle parked nearby registered to Westphal. K9 Rambo was deployed and the area was searched. Westphal was located at a nearby business and arrested for felony theft, obstructin and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, second offense. Deputies were assisted on scene by the Richland Center Police Department.

WHEN: 3/27/2017          TIME of Incident: 9:14 PM

ARRESTED: Michael W Westphal, 32 of Blue River, WI

ARREST or CHARGES: 943.20 (3)(C) Felony Theft Over $10,000, 946.41 Obstructing an Officer, 346.63(1)(A) Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated, 2nd Offense

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

Richland County Law Enforcement Agencies Investigating Fraud Complaints

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The Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Richland Center Police Department report that the two departments are investigating multiple fraud complaints involving identity theft and debit card fraud.
It appears that debit card numbers along with pin numbers have been compromised when the cards were used at area businesses recently.  Fraudulent purchases and withdrawals have been reported by local residents.

Law Enforcement recommends you monitor your accounts for unauthorized transactions. Report any suspicious account activity to your financial institution and your local law enforcement. Law Enforcement also recommends when using your debit card, take care to shield your PIN number.

Authorities Working to Identify 2 Men in Richland County Fraud Case

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On March 25, 2017 the Richland County Sheriff’s Department took a fraud complaint from a party in Richland County. The reporting party advised that her debit card was used to make fraudulent purchases at seven different Wal-Mart stores.  The incident happened on March 24, 2017 for approximately $850 dollars. Purchases were made from the Sun Prairie, Madison West & East, Stoughton, Baraboo and Lake Delton Wal-Mart stores. Law enforcement was able to get photos of two suspect parties and their vehicle. Both suspect parties are male Hispanics in their late 20’s and early 30’s. The suspect vehicle is a newer white Hummer with unknown plate.

If you are able to identify either suspect party or have other information regarding this complaint please contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 608-647-2106.

Sting Operation Results in Arrest of 21 Year Old

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Officers of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and Richland Center Police Department arrested a subject after an investigation revealed solicitation to have sex with a minor using electronic devices or a computer.

On March 6, 2017, law enforcement arrested Drew Sackmann of rural Hillpoint after an investigation revealed Sackmann was attempting to solicit sexual acts from a minor through electronic devices. Officer’s learned of Sackmann’s previous attempts to contact a minor, officers posed as the underage female where further contact was made by Sackmann. During that investigation, Sackmann made requests for sexual acts and sent inappropriate pictures while believing he was speaking to the minor. A meeting was set up by the investigating officer at Krouskop Park in Richland Center in which Sackmann believed the minor would meet him. Upon arrival, Sackmann was arrested by officers without incident. Officers were able to recover further evidence of the crime at the scene. Sackmann was transported to the Richland County Jail where he is awaiting a future court appearance.

WHEN:  03/06/2017    TIME of Incident:  7:05 PM

ARRESTED: Drew C. Sackmann of Hillpoint, WI

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

ARREST or CHARGES: Child Enticement (948.07), Use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime ( 948.075 (1r)), Exposing a child to harmful material ( 948.11 (2a))

Arrest made in Burglary of the Bat Cave Saloon

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On Monday January 23rd 2017 at approximately 1:05am, forced entry was made into the Bat Cave Saloon in Gotham.  A male subject entered the building and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the saloon.  During the investigation of the burglary, pictures of the subject in the saloon were placed on the Sheriff’s Department Facebook Page.  The Sheriff’s Department received several tips from the community resulting in an arrest.  On Wednesday January 25th at approximately 9:59pm, deputies made contact with Joshua Crook.  After speaking with Crook, he was arrested in connection to the burglary.

Who Involved: Joshua D Crook, 26, of Gotham, WI

Arrest or Charges: 943.10 (1m)(a) Burglary, 943.01 (1) Damage to Property

Other Agencies Involved: Richland County Crime Stoppers, and the Richland Center Police Department

Drug Warrant Executed in Lone Rock

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On January 9, 2017, The Richland County Special Response Team, along with members of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland Center Police Department and the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant on a residence in the Village of Lone Rock after a drug investigation.  The residence was located on the 400 block of E Union Street in the Village of Lone Rock. Three parties were arrested on drug charges.  Law enforcement was assisted by the Richland County District Attorney’s office along with Richland County Child Protective Services.

Arrest or Charges:

Tyler S Fashun, 22 of Lone Rock- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Schedule II Narcotic, Maintaining a Drug Trafficking place

Allen L Gholson, 36 of Lone Rock- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place

Brettlyn Harvell, 19 of Lone Rock- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place