Richland County Sheriff's Office

Police Department Concludes Arson Investigation

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The Richland Center Police Department and the Richland Center Fire Department have concluded their investigation into a fire that occurred at the Dr. Killian Meyer building in Krouskop Park on January 17th, 2016.

According to Chief of Police Lucas Clements, at approximately 2:23 pm on January 17, 2016, police and fire were dispatched to the Dr. Killian Meyer building located in Krouskop Park for a report of a fire. Officers from both departments responded and initial information indicated that a fire had occurred inside both the men’s and women’s restrooms of the building.

According to Fire Chief Bob Bindl, responders found that the interior of the bathrooms had experienced a fire which had self-extinguished, with the majority of the damage occurring in the men’s restroom. Fire Chief Bob Bindl noted the fire caused extensive smoke damage throughout the building.

According to City of Richland Center Parks, Recreation, and Grounds Director Shane Stibbe, who has been working with insurance adjusters throughout the past week, preliminary estimates concerning damage caused by the fire are at a minimum of approximately $70,000.

Chief Clements reports that on January 20th, 2016 at approximately 7:56 pm an Officer with the Richland Center Police Department received a tip with information concerning the fire and passed the information on to the investigating Officer.

Following up on this tip, the investigating Officer, through interviews and timely police work, found that three juveniles were responsible for setting the fire in the Dr. Killian Meyer building on January 17th. The juveniles, two from Richland Center and one from Lone Rock, have been referred to Richland County Health and Human Services for the crime of arson.

Assisting with the investigation were members of the Richland Center Fire Department, City Parks, Recreation and Grounds Department, and Richland County Health and Human Services.

Chief Clements states, “This is a prime example of how our community stepped up, took pride in what we have as a community, and provided information with the departments listed above to help solve an investigation and ultimately make our community safer.”

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Richland Center Woman Arrested for the Distribution of Heroin

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Ashley A DurstChief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department along with Sheriff James J. Bindl of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department report that an investigation conducted by the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force has culminated in the arrest of a Richland Center woman for the distribution of heroin. Ashley A. Durst, 29, was arrested for one count of Delivery of Heroin, which occurred in the City of Richland Center. During the investigation Durst also delivered heroin on another occasion, however it occurred in a different jurisdiction. The case has been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

The Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force is a Tri-County combined investigative unit. Locally, members from the Richland Center Police Department and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are assigned to investigate and combat area drug trafficking and abuse.

Chief Clements stated that highly addictive substances, such as Heroin and other narcotics, continues to be a focus of the Drug Task Force as it has been an increasing problem in the area, which has seen an increase in narcotic overdoses, some even resulting in death. Sheriff Bindl noted that narcotic distribution and/or usage has also been shown to be a contributing factor to other crimes against persons and property.

Chief Clements and Sheriff Bindl would like to remind citizens to report any suspicious activity by notifying law enforcement. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Richland Area Crime Stoppers at 647-2583 and may be eligible for a cash reward.

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Disturbance leads to Arrest in Lone Rock

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On January 15, 2016, at 4:55pm, the Richland County Communications Center received a call of a male subject, believed to be intoxicated, shooting a rifle in the village of Lone Rock.  Richland County Deputies responded and attempted contact with the residence where the subject lives and got no answer.  Further investigation led Deputies to believe there to be a female subject in the home also, and the male showed a criminal history including battery to law enforcement and the fact he was a felon and could not possess firearms.

Public safety concerns led  to a request for the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department Emergency Response Team and the Dane County Team for their armored vehicle.  Negotiations with the suspects to come out and speak with law enforcement went into the early morning hours.  The male was uncooperative, and stated several times he would shoot any deputies who entered the home.    Deputies used OC gas grenades launched from the armored vehicle to get the suspects out of the residence.  The two were taken into custody at around 5:12am.   No injuries were reported.  Charges are pending with the Richland County District Attorneys Office.

Involved: Scott G. Schalow, 43 of Lone Rock, WI 53556 and Tammy L. Hoffman, 52 of Lone Rock, WI 5355

Other Agencies Involved: Richland County District Attorney’s Office, Sauk County Emergency Response Team, Sauk County Negotiations Team, Dane County Emergency Response Team, Village of Lone Rock, Lone Rock EMS, Lone Rock Fire Dept., and Richland County Emergency Management

Arrest or Charges: Scott Schalow:  Felon in possession of a weapon, Disorderly conduct, and a probation hold.

 

Richland County Sheriff’s Department

January 2016 Squad Car Bid – Interceptor

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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 for the purchase of one (1) Police Package 2016 Fleet/Non-Retail Ford Utility Police Interceptor AWD, 4 door K8A vehicle to be delivered within 90 days of the order being placed.

Interceptor Specs

Bids must be received by Friday, January 29, 2016 at 4:00p.m.   Bids will be accepted by U.S. Mail or hand delivery to the Sheriff’s Department.

If mailing bids, address to:

Squad Car Bids
c/o Chief Deputy Chad Kanable
Richland County Sheriff’s Department
181 W. Seminary Street
Richland Center, WI 53581

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

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 (State Bid).

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

 

Sheriff’s Department Selects New K9 Handler

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K9_CzysThe Richland County Sheriff’s Department has named their next K9 handler. The selection came through an internal promotion process where Deputy Mike Czys was awarded the position. A management panel that included the Sheriff, Chief Deputy, Lieutenant, and Sergeants made this decision.

Czys joined the Sheriff’s Department as a Jailer/Dispatcher in 2012 after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and graduating from The Law Enforcement Academy at Chippewa Valley Technical College. In 2014 Czys was promoted to Road Patrol and has had a lifelong interest in becoming a K9 Handler. Czys stated that his interest in becoming a K9 handler stems from a passion to combat the growing drug problem in the area and a desire to utilize the K9 to practice a community based policing model.

Community Based Policing is a term that refers to a type of policing where law enforcement and the community work together toward common goals. The Sheriff’s Department believes that public K9 demonstrations and appearances in area schools and businesses that show the K9’s abilities is a way to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the community. The public also has an important role in the success of the fight against drugs: reporting suspicious activity or any other information to Richland County Crime Stoppers, properly disposing of unused prescription medications, and educating youth on the dangers of drugs are all great ways for law enforcement and the community to come together to fight the problem at hand

The drug problem in Richland County and the surrounding areas is a growing concern, and the Sheriff’s Department believes that a K9 that is specially trained in the detection of narcotics is crucial to fight the problem. In recent years, there has been an increase in the availability and abuse of more illicit drugs including heroin, methamphetamine, and prescription pills. These substances coupled with marijuana, cocaine, and other drugs are becoming more potent and unpredictable as they are brought in from larger cities onto Richland County’s streets and highways, and eventually into our homes. Drugs are affecting the community by causing overdose deaths, and can also be linked to thefts, burglaries, and other property crimes. [Read more…]

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DTF Investigation Leads to Drug Arrest

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On December 31st, 2015 members of the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force apprehended a male subject identified as Larry S. Parmer, age 34 of Arena, through a pre-arranged meeting in the Lone Rock area. Parmer was involved in the delivery of a controlled substance, purported to be Heroin. Through this investigation Parmer was arrested for delivery of a Schedule I or II Narcotic Drug. The basis for the arrest stems from a separate, on-going investigation where subsequent charges of possession and delivering of Heroin are expected to be forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

According to Sheriff James J Bindl, “We will continue to take the necessary steps to combat drug delivery and drug use in Richland County. These activities are not welcome here.”

The Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force, as well as Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper, continue to fight against Narcotic drug use and distribution of drugs in the area. Citizens are encouraged to work with law enforcement in that fight. Anyone with information related to illegal drugs or any other crime can call the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Richland Center Police Department or call Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (647-2583).

Involved: Larry S. Parmer, age 34, Arena, WI.

Richland –Iowa-Grant DTF

County Hwy OO Change to County Hwy RC

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Richland County has numerous roadways that separate into two different sections and have the same name. One such section of roadway is County Hwy 00. The first section starts at State Hwy 80 near the Middle School and heads east to County Hwy O near Pine Valley Healthcare. The next section of County Hwy OO starts at the intersection of County Hwy O and Santa Klaus Lane and continues south to State Hwy 80.

The Richland County Board has been working with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Emergency Management, Zoning and the Richland County Highway Department to change this section of County Hwy OO from State Hwy 80 continuing east to County Hwy O. This section will be renamed “County Hwy RC”.

The change is already in place. The post office will recognize both addresses for one year. On January 14, 2016 the new blue address signs and the new road signs will be installed. This entire section of roadway will be readdressed and re-posted as County Hwy RC.

I want to thank the property owners along this section roadway for working with the county during this change.

Sheriff James J Bindl

Richland County Sheriff’s Department

January 2016 Squad Car Bids

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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 for the purchase of two (2) Police Package 2016 Fleet/Non-Retail Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicles, 4 door sedan to be delivered within 90 days of the order being placed.

2016 Chevrolet Caprice Specs

Bids must be received by Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 4:00p.m.   Bids will be accepted by U.S. Mail or hand delivery to the Sheriff’s Department.

If mailing bids, address to:

Squad Car Bids
c/o Chief Deputy Chad Kanable
Richland County Sheriff’s Department
181 W. Seminary Street
Richland Center, WI 53581

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

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 (State Bid).

Authority: Sheriff James J. Bindl

Crash Between a Passenger Car and ATV

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On 12/24/15 at 6:58am the Richland County Communications Center received a 911 call of a car vs ATV crash on US Hwy 14 west, just west of Cty Hwy ZZ on the Bashford Hill. The report was one person was injured and laying in the roadway. Richland County EMS, Richland Center Fire Duty Crew and Sheriff’s Department Deputies all responded.

When Sheriff’s Deputies arrived they discovered an adult male subject from Richland Center sitting in the roadway against a passenger car which had been driven by a party out of Soldiers Grove. Initial indications showed the male had attempted to cross the travel lanes of the highway when he was struck on the ATV by the westbound vehicle.

The male was transported to the Richland Hospital by Richland EMS,and was later transfered to UW Hospital in Madison with head injuries. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The crash remains under investigation and alcohol is believed to have been a factor.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by Richland County EMS, and the Richland Center Fire Department.

WHEN: 12-24-2015 TIME of Incident: 6:58am

WHO Involved:  

  • ATV Rider/Injured:  Randall D. Buroker of Rural Richland Center
  • Passenger Car Operator:  Nicole L. Harding of Soldiers Grove

WHERE Incident Happened: US Hwy 14 West (West side of the Bashford Hill), Dayton Township, Richland County, WI

Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Drug Task Force Executes Search Warrant – 3 Arrested

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Crook - Rundle - Williams

Crook – Rundle – Williams

On 12/05/15 members of the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence at 352 E Exchange St in the Village of Lone Rock. While performing the search warrant, numerous items of drug paraphernalia, Methadone, Morphine, as well a quantity of Crystal Methamphetamine was located. Three suspects were located during the search and were arrested. Leanne K. Rundle, age 33 of Lone Rock, was charged with Resisting/Obstructing an Officer, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic. Sean T. Williams, age 37 of Lone Rock was also charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Toney J. Crook, age 26 of Lone Rock, was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Bail Jumping. Child Protective Services was contacted in regards to children living at the residence. Five dogs were also located and removed from the residence due to poor living conditions. Investigations are still ongoing at this time. Members of the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force and the Richland County DA Office has assisted in this investigation.

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