Richland County Sheriff's Office

Lone Rock Man Arrested After Tasing Mother on Mother’s Day

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WHEN: 5/9/2021
TIME of Incident: 2:42 P.M.

WHO Involved:
Andrew C. Peterson, 22, of Lone Rock, WI
Colleen T. Parker 20, of Lone Rock, WI

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

WHERE Incident Happened:1057 Sunflower Street, Lone Rock, WI

What happened: On 5/9/2021 at 2:42 PM, a 43 year old female victim reported to the Sheriff’s Dept that her 22 year old son had just used an electronic weapon (aka Taser) on her during a domestic disturbance on Mothers Day. The victim reported that her son became upset because he could not find his phone. The victim reported that her son used the electronic weapon (aka Taser) on her by applying it to her neck and activating the electronic weapon. The victim said that her son and his girlfriend and their small child have been living with her for the last several months. The victim said that shortly after the incident, Andrew Peterson, Colleen Parker and their small child left the residence in a vehicle.
Andrew Peterson and Colleen Parker were arrested a short time later in Richland Center where Peterson admitted to using an electronic weapon (aka Taser) on his mother on Mothers Day. Colleen Parker admitted to being involved in another domestic disturbance on 5/6/2021. Colleen Parker admitted that she punched the victim in the face during the earlier disturbance.

Arrest or Charges:
Andrew C. Peterson – Battery, Disorderly Conduct, (Domestic Abuse Related), Bail Jumping and Possession of Electronic Weapon
Colleen T. Parker – Battery, Disorderly Conduct (Domestic Abuse Related)

Traffic Stop Leads to Seizure of Heroin and Methamphetamine.

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WHEN: 04/23/2021

WHO Involved:
Benjamin J. Peterson, 26 of Mazomanie, WI

TIME of Incident: 7:30 P.M.

Other Agencies Involved:
Richland Center Police Department

WHERE Incident Happened: E. Gage St. Richland Center

What happened: On 04/23/2021 at approximately 7:30 PM a deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop near Foremost Farms on E. Gage Street in the City of Richland Center. The vehicle was stopped for registration violations and suspicious activity. Contact was made with the driver, Benjamin J. Peterson of Mazomanie. During the subsequent investigation of the stop and search of the vehicle, law enforcement located approximately 30 grams of methamphetamine and .6 grams of heroin. Peterson was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail for drug offenses. The Richland Center Police Department assisted on scene and the investigation in still ongoing.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department asks the public to report any suspicious activity by calling the non-emergency line at 608-647-2106 or Richland County Crime Stoppers at 608-647-2583. All callers can remain anonymous.

Search Operation for Mason Fenton ends in the discovery of a fatal ATV Crash

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WHEN: 4/25/2021

Other Agencies Involved:
Richland Center Fire Department
Sauk County Sheriff’s Department
Viola Fire Department
LaFarge Fire Department
Cazenovia Fire Department
Lone Rock Fire Department
Middleton Fire Department
Kickapoo EMS
Vernon County EM

TIME of Incident: 12:50 A.M.

 
Richland Center Police Department
Grant County Sheriff’s Department
Yuba Fire Department
Muscoda Fire Department
Blue River Fire Department
Fort McCoy Fire Department
Richland County EMS
Richland County EM
Wisconsin DNR

WHO Involved: Mason M. Fenton, 16 of Richland Center, WI

What happened: On 04/25/2021 at approximately 10:57PM the Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a juvenile male who had not returned home from riding his ATV. An extensive search began attempting to locate Mason Fenton near his residence in Dayton Township. Several area Fire and EMS departments along with several K-9 and Drone teams responded to assist with the search. At approximately 3:39AM on 4/26/2021 a Richland County Sheriff’s sergeant located the ATV crashed on Crow Hill School Road. Mason Fenton was found deceased a short distance from the scene of the crash.

The crash is being investigated by the Wisconsin DNR.

Two vehicle crash, State Highway 14 at State Highway 58 with one individual sustaining life threatening injuries.

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WHEN: 4/6/2021
 
WHO Involved:
Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Richland Center Fire Department
Wegner Towing
Lakes Gas Company
TIME of Incident: 12:50 A.M.
 
 
Richland Center Police Department
Richland County EMS
UW Madison Medflight

WHERE Incident Happened: State Highway 14 at State Highway 58

What happened: On April 6th, 2021 at approximately 12:50 A.M., The Richland County Sheriff’s received a 9-1-1 call reporting a two vehicle crash at State Highway 14 and State Highway 58. At the time, Richland County was also experiencing a county wide cellular service interruption affecting both the 9-1-1 system and regular cellular services which caused further complications. Deputies responded to find one vehicle, a red 2009 Toyota Camry, in the ditch alongside the westbound lanes of Highway 14. The second vehicle, a white 2017 Kenworth Semi pulling a loaded trailer, was stopped farther west on Highway 14. The semi was also hauling recreational size propane tanks, which during the crash had been scattered across all four lanes of Highway 14 forcing the highway to be shut down.

The driver of the Toyota Camry, Richard W. Anderson, 92 years’ old, from Vadnais Heights Minnesota was entrapped in his vehicle and needed to be extricated. Anderson, who sustained life threating injuries, was extricated from his vehicle by the Richland Center Fire Department, treated on scene by Richland County EMS until UW Madison Medflight arrived. Medflight landed at the intersection and Anderson was flown to UW Madison Hospital where his condition is listed as critical. The driver of the semi was not injured in the crash and assisted on scene until emergency units arrived.

Witnesses state Anderson’s vehicle was southbound on State Highway 58, approaching the stop sign at the intersection with State Highway 14 and failed to stop at the stop sign. Anderson’s vehicle continued through the intersection striking the westbound semi. Anderson’s vehicle struck the semi-trailer just in front of the rear axle, where the propane tanks were stored. Anderson’s vehicle was then forced to the shoulder and came to rest in the ditch. Anderson’s vehicle sustained major damage in the crash and was removed by Wegner Towing. The semi-truck was not damaged, however, the trailer was also removed by Wegner Towing due to damages sustained in the crash.

State Highway 14 was shut down for approximately two hours during the incident from County Road O by Wal-Mart and County Road B at Sextonville.

ARREST or CHARGES: At this time, this incident remains under investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Man Located and Arrested After Fleeing Rollover Accident

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At approximately 6:39pm deputies responded to a one vehicle rollover on State Hwy 80 near Candlewood Ln. Prior to the deputies’ arrival a witness observed the driver flee up a hill into a wooded area. Deputies tracked the subject to the north east towards Wegner Rd. A property owner on Whippoorwill Rd contacted the Sheriff’s Department stating that there were fresh footprints in the snow leading to a vacant trailer house on his property. Deputies responded to that address and made entry into the trailer, a male party matching the description of the driver who had fled the crash scene was located inside. Several items of drug paraphernalia an illegal narcotics were located in the driver’s possession. The male party refused to identify himself to law enforcement but was later identified using his distinctive tattoos.

Who Involved: Craig D. Bellis, 40 of Spring Green, WI

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

Arrest or Charges: 946.41 Obstructing, 943.14 Criminal Trespass to Dwelling, 961.573(1) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 961.41(3G)(E) Possession of THC

One Vehicle Rollover Results in the Death of a Muscoda Man

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On 03-08-21 at approximately 7:00pm, a vehicle was traveling southbound on State Hwy 80 when it lost control and slide sideways into the west ditch. The vehicle is believed to have rolled multiple times and came to rest on the passenger side door. Both occupants of the vehicle were trapped inside and needed to be extricated by the Richland Center Fire Department. Thomas R. Poupart, 28 of Muscoda was transported via Richland County EMS to the Richland Hospital for his injuries. Poupart was later tansported via Med-Flight to UW Hospital in Madison. Zachary W. Brunton, 29 of Muscoda was pronounced dead at the scene. The Wisconsin State Patrol assisted with a crash reconstruction of the accident scene. Speed and alcohol were believed to be contributing factors in the crash and the investigation is still ongoing.

Who Involved:
Zachary W. Brunton, 29 of Muscoda, WI
Thomas R. Poupart, 28 of Muscoda, WI

Other Agencies Involved:
Richland County EMS, Richland Center Fire Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, UW Med Flight, Richland County District Attorney’s Office, Richland County Coroner

Suspect Taken Into Custody After Threats Made Involving Handgun

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On February 14th, 2021 at 3:20pm Richland County Sheriff Deputies responded to Lone Rock where they met with a victim who reported that she had been in an argument with Michael Paulsen. The victim said that during the argument, Michael Paulsen pointed a handgun at her and said that he was going to kill her, the kids, and himself. The victim was able to get out of the residence with the kids and contact law enforcement. Michael Paulsen did not answer his door or phone when law enforcement attempted contact.

Law enforcement was later able to make phone contact with Michael Paulsen. The suspect agreed to exit his residence and was safely taken into custody.

Location of Incident: 531 W. Exchange Street, Lone Rock, WI

Who Involved: Michael A. Paulsen, 41, of Lone Rock, WI

Other Agencies Involved:

  • Richland County Special Response Team
  • Richland Center Police Department
  • Lone Rock EMS
  • Lone Rock Fire Department

Pending Charges:

  • 941.20(1) Endangering Safety By Use OF A Dangerous Weapon
  • 941.30(2) Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety
  • 947.01 Disorderly Conduct (Domestic Abuse Related)

Request for Squad Bids – 1/21/2021

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The Richland County Sheriff’s Department, under the authority of the Richland County Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committee, is currently accepting bids as described below to purchase two (2) police package squad vehicles:

Police Package RAM 1500 SSV CREW 4×4
Police Package Dodge Durango SUV 4 door AWD
Police Package Ford F-150 4 door 4×4 pick up
Police Package Ford Explorer SUV 4 door AWD

Detailed Bid Specifications

Bids must be received by Thursday, February 11th, 2021 at 4:00p.m.

Bids will be accepted by U.S. Mail, email or hand delivery to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. If mailing or delivering bids, mark the envelope “Attention: Squad Bids”. Electronic bids should be sent to amber.muckler@co.richland.wi.us and put Squad Bids in the subject line.

If mailing bids, address to:
Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Attn: Squad bids
181 W. Seminary St.
Richland Center, WI. 53581

Requests can be made by calling 608-647-8906 ext. 3 or through email to Administrative Office Manager Amber Muckler at amber.muckler@co.richland.wi.us.

Bids will include all fees associated with the purchase. The bid you give will be a “drive away” figure and will include all dealer and licensing fees.

The vehicle will be delivered within 90 days of the order being placed.

Received bids will be reviewed by the Richland County Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committee. Richland County reserves the right to accept or reject any bid and will consider bids most advantageous to the county. Richland County reserves the right to accept or reject portions of bids. The County also reserves the right to reject all bids and consider purchase from the State of Wisconsin Cooperative Purchasing Program.

Authority: Sheriff James J. Bindl
On behalf of the Richland County Law Enforcement and Judicial Committee

Armed Robbery Suspect Apprehended

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On November 8th, 2020, at 8PM a worker from the Boaz Country store called the Richland County Sheriff’s Department to inform law enforcement that they were robbed at knife point. A description of the suspect along with video of the incident were obtained by law enforcement. At approximately 11:45 PM the Richland Center Police Department observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspects vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. Items consistent with the robbery were located inside the vehicle. The Suspect was arrested and taken to the Richland County Jail.

Who Involved: Mekel J.L. Gordon, 19, of Soldiers Grove, WI

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

 

Disturbance Call leads to Drug Arrest

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On 07/11/2020 at approximately 10:17pm, Richland County Dispatch was notified of a disturbance at an apartment building located on Hwy 14 just west of State Hwy 58. Thomas Spry reportedly entered his neighbors apartment causing a disturbance and was sprayed by bear mace by the occupant. Spry went back to his apartment and contacted 911 seeking medical attention. When deputies were assisting Spry in his apartment they observed what appeared to be drug paraphernalia. Spry was transported by Richland County EMS to the Richland Hospital due to the exposure of the bear mace. A search warrant was obtained and executed on Spry’s apartment where several items of drug paraphernalia were located along with methamphetamine and marijuana. Spry was arrested and booked into the Richland County Jail.

Who Involved: Thomas Spry, 68 of Richland Center, wI

Agencies Involved: Richland County Ambulance Service, Richland Center Police Department, and Richland County District Attorney’s Office

Arrests or Charges: Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass to a Dwelling, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of THC