Richland County Sheriff's Department

Jefferson, WI Man Arrested On Multiple Charges

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Lt. Billy Jones reports that a Jefferson, Wisconsin, man was taken into custody after a report of a man with a gun and a home invasion which was followed by a brief chase on Wednesday afternoon.

Shane P. Harsha, 49 years old, was arrested on tentative charges of Fleeing and Eluding an Officer, Armed with a Firearm While Intoxicated, Criminal Trespass, and Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety. Shane Harsha was also cited for Operating While Intoxicated First Offense, Operating Without a Valid Motorcycle Endorsement, and Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign.

Lt. Jones stated that the investigation began with the report of a male subject pointing a handgun at another person who was backing out of their driveway in their vehicle in the City of Richland Center. The driver of the vehicle informed police that he thought he was being “carjacked”.

A short time later, police received a call of a home invasion in which a male had forced his way into the home, confronted a resident, and then left the home on a motorcycle. The description of the male involved in the home invasion matched that of the suspect involved in the believed to be “carjacking”.

After a brief search, the motorcycle and suspect were located by responding Richland Center Police Department Officers and Richland County Sheriff’s Department Deputies. Once located, the suspect and motorcycle attempted to elude law enforcement through the north end of the City of Richland Center at excessive speeds. When the pursuit concluded, the operator was identified as Shane P. Harsha who was found to be in possession of a handgun. Ultimately Shane Harsha was taken into custody without further incident.

Shane Harsha is currently incarcerated at the Richland County Jail. All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s office.

Lt. Billy Jones commented that the timely call from citizens, coupled with the rapid response of the officers and deputies involved, led to the quick and safe apprehension of Shane Harsha.

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Skimmers Found at Local Gas Stations

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Lt. Billy Jones, of the Richland Center Police Department, reports that there have been multiple card skimmers located in the City of Richland Center at multiple gas stations. Officers of the Richland Center Police Department were notified on Monday afternoon, 9-16-2019, of possible tampering to multiple gas pumps at the Mobil West Station and TKS. Officers were not able to determine the length of time the skimmers have been in the pumps.  If you have purchased gas from the pump using your credit or debit card at either of these gas stations, Lt. Billy Jones encourages you to watch your accounts and report any fraudulent activity to your local Law Enforcement.

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Hwy 80 N at McDougal Lane Accident

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On 9/16/19 at 07:22am, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a 4 to 5 vehicle crash on Hwy 80N at McDougal Ln.  Reports indicated a school bus, a semi and several cars were involved. It was extremely foggy at the time of the crash.

Sheriff’s Deputies, Richland Center Fire & Richland County EMS responded.  According to the investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, 3 vehicles were stopped in the Northbound lane of Hwy 80 at McDougal Ln for a school bus in the process of picking up student’s that had its red lights flashing.  A semi tanker truck, operated by 32 year old Gary W. Olson of Sparta, was Northbound on Hwy 80 when he stated he did not see the flashing reds lights on the bus or the vehicles stopped in the roadway due to the dense fog.

As Olson approached the area, he applied the brakes and attempted to steer the semi into the gravel on the right side of the roadway.  This caused the semi trailer to slide sideways to the left. The semi trailer collided with the rear of a 2018 Jeep Compass operated by 81 year old Everett A Crine of Cazenovia.  The impact pushed the Crine vehicle forward where it struck the rear of a 2014 Chrysler minivan operated by Barbara J. Olson, age 48 of Richland Center.  The Crine vehicle continued forward, striking a third vehicle, a 2012 Chevrolet Impala operated by Kristin Kauffman of Richland Center.  The Olson and Crine vehicles suffered extensive damage and were towed from the scene.  Everett Crine was injured and transported to the Richland Hospital by Richland County EMS.  He was later transferred to a La Crosse hospital.  His condition is not known at this time.  The school bus, owned by Kubbussen Bus Service was not directly involved in the crash and none of the students on board were injured.

Gary Olson was cited for driving too fast for conditions and for failure to wear a seatbelt.

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AUTHORITY:  Chief Deputy Chad Kanable

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrest

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Lt. Billy Jones of the Richland Center Police Department reports that a Richland Center man was arrested over the weekend on drug related charges.

Stuart Boe, 63, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

The investigation began when Boe was stopped for a driver’s license violation and the assistance of a K9 unit was requested.  K9 Rambo, of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, was deployed and indicated the presence of controlled substances to be in Boe’s vehicle.  During the subsequent search of Boe’s vehicle, numerous baggies of suspected marijuana were located along with a couple items of suspected drug paraphernalia.  In addition, $1280 of US currency was located on Boe’s person during the arrest.

In addition to the Sheriff’s Department, the Police Department was assisted on-scene by members of the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force.   All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Lt. Jones commented that this investigation was the result of the thoroughness of the Officer who made the initial traffic stop and the assistance of K9 Rambo.  Lt. Jones added that the Officer’s decision to request the K9 unit was, in part, due to tips that law enforcement has received concerning Boe’s suspected involvement in illegal drug activity.  Lt. Jones stated that this is another example of how citizens’ information can assist law enforcement in achieving the goal of reducing the amount of drugs and crime in our community.

Any citizen who has information concerning any illegal activity is encouraged to call the Richland Center Police Department at 608-647-2103 or the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 608-647-2016.  Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Richland Area Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583) and may be eligible for a cash reward.

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House Fire in Sylvan Township Claims Life of 63 Year Old Rural Viola Woman

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On 8-24-19 at 10:06pm the Vernon Co Sheriff’s Dept received a 911 call reporting a fire at 18478 Co Hwy U in Sylvan Township. When authorities arrived, they discovered a 2 story home completely engulfed in flames. Early reports indicated that a person may still be inside the structure. Richland Center Fire responded & requested mutual aid from the Viola Fire Dept, and Lone Rock Fire Dept. Viola EMS also responded. When Sheriffs Deputies & RC Fire arrived they conducted a size up of the scene, and while doing so located an adult female laying behind the residence. It was determined an explosion had occurred. Viola EMS checked the female for signs of life and found none. She was pronounced dead at the scene by a Deputy Richland Co Coroner. She was identified as 63 year old Bonnie L. Strothman. Her husband, 68 year old Allen D. Strothman, was transported by Viola EMS to Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua with non life threatening injuries. An autopsy was ordered by the Coroner’s Office.

Fire crews were on the scene for approximately 5 hours. The incident remains under investigation.

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.

Press Release Update

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On Tuesday 7/30/2019, Grant County authorities announced the completion of an investigation into the death of a Richland County Inmate.  Grant County officials with assistance from the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office have ruled the death of 25 year old Kevin L. Flint as an accidental death.  On 6/19/19, Flint was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by Richland County Deputies.  During the stop, illegal drugs were located in the vehicle.  Flint along with the vehicle operator were arrested for possession of illegal drugs and transported to the Richland County Jail.  As the investigation continued, a search warrant was obtained to conduct a body cavity search on Flint at the Richland Hospital by trained medical personnel.  Flint was transported to the hospital where the warrant was executed.  He was then returned to the jail with full medical clearance.

Shortly after returning to the jail, Flint fell ill and lost consciousness during the booking process.  EMS was immediately paged and CPR was started by Deputies prior to EMS arrival.  Flint was transported to the Richland Hospital ER where he died a short time later.

Richland County authorities requested the assistance of the Grant County Sheriff’s Dept. to conduct an independent investigation of the incident.  The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death as accidental with a cause of acute cocaine intoxication.

Sheriff James J. Bindl wants to thank the Grant County Sheriff’s Dept. for their time and work in this investigation.

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Education and Safety Day

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Education and Safety Day is presented by:

Richland Center Fire Department
Richland County Ambulance
Richland Center Police Department
Scouts BSA Troop 81

In cooperation with Julie Cairns State Farm Agency, and hosted by the Richland Center School District

When: Thursday, August 8, 2019
Time: 10:30am until 11:30am
Where: Jefferson Elementary School Playground, 586 North Main Street, Richland Center, WI
Ages: 5-18

Children not enrolled in the Summer School Program must be accompanied by an adult.

Topics Include: Water Safety, Basic First Aid, Vehicle & Pedestrian Safety, and Bicycle Safety including Bicycle Maintenance Stations

Safety Day Flyer