Richland County Sheriff's Department

Investigation After Burglary in Viola Results in Arrest

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On 08/07/2019 the Richland County Sheriff’s Department took a report of a burglary that occurred some time during the overnight hours. It was reported someone had entered the Shear Bliss Beauty Salon at 119 W Commercial Street in the Village of Viola. A joint investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Viola Police Department showed entry was made to the building and cash along with other items were taken. Evidence collected at the scene led investigators to speak with Zach Alexander, age 21 of Soldiers Grove. Alexander was contacted and admitted to the burglary. Alexander was arrested and is currently in the Richland County Jail on a felony burglary and theft charge . The case has been referred to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.

Arrest or Charges: Burglary 943.10(1m)(a) and Theft 943.20 (1)(a)

 

Amish Buggy Incident Results in Minor Injury

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On 8/9/19 at 8:52am Richland County Sheriffs Department Dispatch received a 911 call of a traffic crash on US 14 West near County U. The report was a semi had crashed into an Amish buggy and there were injuries. Richland County Sheriffs Deputies responded, as did Viola EMS and Richland Center Fire Department. When Deputies arrived it was discovered there was no crash. An Amish family was traveling east on the shoulder of US 14 when a semi entered onto the hwy from a gravel drive ahead of the buggy. As the semi pulled out onto the roadway, the horse pulling the buggy spooked and ran into the south ditch causing the buggy to overturn. Two adults and three juveniles were in the buggy at the time, with two of the juveniles suffering very minor injuries. The injured were checked at the scene by Viola EMS and released.

Tractor Roll Over Results in Possible Injury

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On 8/7/19 at 3:33pm Richland County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call stating there was a tractor roll over on St Hwy 80 south near Joe Miller Lane. Richland County Sheriffs Deputies, Richland Center Police, Richland Fire & EMS all responded. The tractor was located in the west ditch, upside down at a driveway culvert pipe. Norman Putz, age 81 of Richland Center, had been using the tractor to mow the ditch line using a 3 point mower. As he attempted to mow around the culvert, the tractor overturned, landing upside down in the ditch with Mr Putz underneath it. Putz was extricated from under the tractor by the Richland Center Fire Department with assistance of Wegner Towing. Norman Putz was transported to the Richland Hospital with a possible injury. A WI DNR Warden assisted Richland County Officials at the scene.

Search Warrant Leads to Drugs, Paraphernalia, and Money Seized

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On 05-21-2019, the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force along with the Richland County Special Response Team executed a drug related search warrant at the address of 28875 McNurlin Street in the Village of Gotham. A search of the residence was conducted and officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, and U.S. currency. Also located were numerous items of drug paraphernalia to include: used syringes, glass smoking devices, a digital scale, a drug ledger/log, and plastic baggies with residue. The suspect, William C. Giddings was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail on numerous drug related offenses. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious/drug activity to Richland County Crime Stoppers at 647-Clue(2583).

Other agencies involved were the Richland Center Police Department and Lone Rock EMS.

As a result of the investigation Giddings was placed under arrest for the following tentative charges:

William Giddings

  • Possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine
  • Possession with intent to deliver THC
  • Maintaining a drug trafficking place
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Resisting or obstructing an officer

RCPD Click It or Ticket 2019

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Richland Center Police Department to mobilize for Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement from May 20th to June 2nd.

Chief Lucas Clements points out that this year marks the 10-year anniversary of Wisconsin’s primary enforcement seat belt law. Since the law took effect in June of 2009, Wisconsin’s seat belt use rate has climbed from 74 percent in 2009, to just over 89 percent today. Over the last decade alone, numerous motorists in Wisconsin have avoided serious injury or death thanks to the simple click of a seat belt.

Still, law enforcement and other emergency responders see far too many people who make the dangerous – and frankly – irresponsible decision to not wear a safety belt. Last year, about half of the car and truck occupants killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes were not buckled up. These needless tragedies devastate families and generate enormous societal costs. Chief Clements states, “As part of our larger public safety mission, the Richland Center Police Department will join law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin as part of the national Click It or Ticket mobilization May 20 to June 2.”

Across our state and nation, officers will work in greater numbers for longer hours – not to simply stop and cite motorists – but to encourage everyone to voluntarily comply with traffic laws that serve to keep the public safe. During Click It or Ticket – and throughout the year – our goal is to ensure that all motorists are safely buckled up – every seat, every trip

Click It or Ticket 2019

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Date: May 9, 2019
For more information contact: Sheriff James J Bindl 608-647-2106

Richland County Sheriff’s Department to mobilize for Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement from May 20th to June 2nd.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department will join hundreds of law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin for the annual Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement campaign from May 20 to June 2.

“As we enter another major travel season, we’re reminding motorists that wearing a safety belt is the single most effective way to protect themselves and prevent needless tragedies along our roadways,” said Sheriff Bindl.

Currently, Wisconsin’s seat belt use rate stands at 89 percent, behind our neighboring states of Minnesota and Michigan that are both over 90 percent. Last year, about half of the car and truck occupants killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes were not buckled up.

“Our goal is voluntary compliance with traffic laws, not to write citations,”Sheriff Bindl said. “But given a choice, we’d much rather write a ticket than have to knock on someone’s door and inform them that a loved one has been killed or seriously injured in a crash. So we’re reminding all motorists to buckle up, every seat, every trip ”

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Wisconsin’s primary seat belt law that allows law enforcement to stop and cite motorists for failing to wear a safety belt. In addition, drivers can be cited for every unbuckled passenger in their vehicle. Last year in Wisconsin, there were 50,875 traffic convictions for failure to fasten seat belts.

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Download printable news release – Click it or ticket 2019

Two Vehicle Crash Involving School Bus

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On 04/29/19 Richland County Dispatch received the report of a 2 vehicle crash on State Hwy 80 South of the City of Richland Center between a SUV and a School bus. 

Parker was operating a 2014 SUV Southbound on STH 80 which was slowed/stopped in traffic due to a vehicle in front of her attempting to turn left into Wegner Auto Service. Downs was operating a 2017 School Bus for Kobussen also traveling South and failed to stop for the vehicles stopped in front of him, causing a crash. Parker was transported by private vehicle to seek medical attention. There were no injuries reported to the students on the bus. The crash is still under investigation.

WHO INVOLVED:
Miranda Parker, 40 of Richland Center
Steven Downs, 62 of Richland Center

WHEN: 04-29-19          TIME of Incident: 7:22AM        Location: State Hwy 80 South of Richland Center

Other Agencies Involved:
Richland Center Police Department

Arrests or Charges:
Downs was cited for Failure to have control of a vehicle.

National Telecommunicators Week

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In honor of National Telecommunicators Week, April 14-20, 2019, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department wants to recognize the hard working and dedicated professionals that serve the citizens of Richland County as 911 Telecommunicators & Jailers.

911 Dispatchers are the 1st First Responders!

 

Sergeant Rita McCarthy
Deputy Nettie Collins
Deputy Susan Barnes
Deputy Chuck Giese
Deputy Steve Sanders
Deputy Randy Nelson
Deputy Kyla Turner
Deputy Casey Marshall
Deputy Chris Schildgen
Deputy Brittany Clark
Deputy Zachary Halverson
Deputy Savanah DuCharme
Deputy Meggie Elliott
Deputy Diane Collins

 

Thank you for your dedicated service to Richland County.
Sheriff James J. Bindl

Don’t Buy Into Publishers Clearinghouse Phone Scam

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The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has recently taken a fraud complaint in which the victim received a phone call informing them that they had won the “Publisher’s Clearing House” prize.  The prize included $2.5 million dollars, a 2019 Mercedes Benz, and a duffle bag with $400,000 in cash.  The male party that called stated that the victim needed to send $753 to claim the prize and register the new vehicle.

The victim, recognizing this as a scam, contacted the Sheriff’s Department to report it prior to sending any money.  Law enforcement contacted the Publisher’s Clearing House Scam Hotline and it was determined that this was an attempted fraud.

Sheriff Bindl advises the public to contact the Sheriff’s Department if they feel they are being scammed, and to not send any money to claim any “prize”.  Publisher’s Clearing House also encourages the public to report any fraudulent behavior using their name at 1-800-392-4190

Grand Jury Returns Indictment

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Richland Center Police Chief Lucas Clements would like to pass on a press release from the United States Department of Justice, involving the indictment of a Richland Center resident for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to deliver.

MADISON, WIS. — A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictment.  You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Joshua Clarke, 31, Richland Center, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on November 11, 2018.

Link to initial press release https://ci.richland-center.wi.us/traffic-stop-ends-in-arrests/

Joshua D. Clarke

If convicted, Clarke faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Richland Center Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County District Attorney’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma.