Richland County Sheriff James J. Bindl reports:

On 9-24-2019 Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department searched a home in the Village of Gotham after receiving information it may contain several stolen items from recent burglaries from Richland and Sauk Counties.

Sheriff’s Deputies traveled to an address of 28875 McNurlin St in the village of Gotham and spoke with the occupant there, who subsequently gave permission for a search to be done of his property.  Sheriff’s Deputies recovered several items that have been reported stolen in recent weeks during the search, including chainsaws, power tools, battery operated tools and other items.  While a deputy was still at the residence, another male subject pulled up in a vehicle.  The male exited the vehicle and approached the residence, but tried to flee on foot after seeing the deputy. The male, identified as Bryce G. Mathews was quickly captured and detained.  After a search, Mathews was found to have a drugs, drug paraphernalia and a handgun in his possession.  Matthews, who is a convicted felon, was taken into custody and transported to the Richland County Jail on charges of resisting an officer, felon in possession of a handgun, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The occupant of the residence, 60 year old William C. Giddings, is charged with possession of stolen property and felony bail jumping.

Authorities continued their investigation and as a result have arrested a third individual, 24 year old Dakota L. Lins of Lone Rock.  Lins is charged with theft, receiving stolen property and four counts of felony bail jumping. Both Giddings and Lins were booked into the Richland County Jail.  All charges have been referred to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.  The recovered items are being processed as evidence.

Sheriff Bindl stated the arrests made and items recovered could potentially close seven cases of theft and burglary in Richland County.  Sheriff Bindl reminds all area residents to lock their doors and secure their belongings at all times to deter criminal activity.

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On 9-24-2019 at 1:42pm, Richland Co Dispatch received a 911 call of a logging accident at 26553 Section Hollow Ln. off County Highway I in Rockbridge Township. Sheriff’s Deputies responded as did Richland County EMS and Richland Center Fire. A Richland Co Sheriff’s Deputy arrived first on scene and discovered that 83 year old Lester W. Mick was cutting trees on his property, on a hillside. His son, Robert “Wayne” Mick was also on the property using a log splitter. Wayne heard a bunch of limbs breaking in the woods behind him and went to check on his dad. It was discovered the tree being cut by Lester Mick had fallen on top of him, pinning him underneath. Lester Mick was pronounced dead at the scene by a Deputy Richland County Coroner. No other injuries were reported. Funeral services for Lester W. Mick are pending with the Pratt Memorial Chapel in Richland Center.

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

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)

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.

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.

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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