Richland County Sheriff's Office

Motorcycle Accident with Injuries

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On 07/11/2020 at approximately 5:30pm Richland County Dispatch was notified of a motorcycle crash on County Hwy ZZ just north of Huth School Road. Upon arrival the driver and passenger were located laying in the ditch on the east side of the roadway. The driver stated that a deer had come out into the roadway causing him to lose control and lay the motorcycle down. It appears from marks on the highway the motorcycle and the two occupants traveled approximately 40 to 50 yards before coming to rest off the highway. Both the driver and passenger were transported to the Richland Hospital by EMS for serious injuries.

Who Involved:  John Koester, 60 of Green Bay, WI and Terrie Koester, 65 of Green Bay, WI

Other Agencies Involved:  Richland County Ambulance Service, Richland Center Fire Department

Vehicle Crashes into Wisconsin River Resulting in Fatality.

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Richland County dispatch received a 911 call at 5:40am from a male party stating that his car was in the Wisconsin River near Lone Rock. Deputies responded to Hwy 130 south of Lone Rock. Hwy 130 is currently under construction and it appeared that a vehicle had traveled through the barricades. Deputies arrived at the south boat landing near the main channel. There were vehicle tracks traveling through the boat landing, entering the river. Lone Rock Fire Department and a Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputy deployed their boats and began searching for the vehicle. The vehicle was located at approximately 6:00am about 300 yards down river from the Hwy 130 bridge. The vehicle was submerged with approximately 4 inches of water over it. Deputies and Fire personnel removed the sunroof of the vehicle and pulled Kodi Knoble, age 21 of Lone Rock, from the vehicle. Emergency personnel began CPR and traveled back to the boat landing meeting Lone Rock EMS. Lone Rock EMS transported Knoble to Richland Center Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Sauk County Dive Team and Wegners towing assisted in removing the vehicle.

Who Involved: Kodi Knoble, 21 of Lone Rock

Other Agencies Involved: Lone Rock Fire and EMS, Sauk County Sheriff’s Department, Sauk County Dive Team, and Wegner’s Towing

One Vehicle Rollover Bloom Township

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At approximately 7:04 pm, June 22, 2020, Richland County Dispatch was notified by Vernon County they received a 911 call regarding a single vehicle crash on county Hwy A near Cherry Valley Road. Upon arrival the vehicle was found off of the west side of County Hwy A and it appeared the vehicle had rolled at least once. The driver, Ann Peters, was the lone occupant of the vehicle and it is believed she was ejected from her vehicle during the crash. La Farge Fire Department and Viola EMS responded to the scene. Ann was transported by Viola EMS to the Richland Hospital for possible injuries. While investigating the crash Ann was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was issued a citation for OWI first offense.

Who Involved: Ann L. Peters, 64 of La Farge, wI

Other Agencies Involved: La Farge Fire Department, and Viola EMS

Arrest or Charges: 346.63(1)(A) OWI First Offense & 346.57(2) Failure to Keep Vehicle Under Control

One Vehicle Crash Results in Serious Injuries

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On June 23rd, 2020, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a one vehicle crash on US hwy 14 just east of Bohman Drive. Upon arrival, deputies located two females that had been ejected from the vehicle and a male party who was also involved in the crash nearby. Emergency aid was provided to the injured parties until Richland and Baraboo EMS arrived on scene. During a subsequent investigation of the crash, it was determined that the vehicle was traveling westbound on US Hwy 14 when the vehicle left the roadway, striking a light pole and eventually rolling over. Speed and intoxication are believed to be contributing factors in the cause of the crash. Both females were later transported to UW Hospital in Madison due to injuries sustained in the crash and the male was treated for minor injuries and released from Richland Hospital. Assisting on scene were the Richland Center Police Department, Richland Center Fire Department, Richland EMS, and Baraboo EMS. Charges have been referred to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.

Who Involved:

Kayla L. Warn, 25 of Janesville, WI
Deanna L. Geddes, 28 of Janesville, WI
Scott A. Chroninger, 29 of Beloit, WI

Arrests or Charges: Kayla L. Warn: 346.63(1)(a) Operating While Intoxicated (2nd Offense), 343.44(1)(b) Knowingly Operate While Revoked Causing Great Bodily Harm

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Richland Center Fire Department, Richland County EMS, Baraboo EMS

Richland Center Police Department Press Release

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Richland Center Police Chief Billy Jones reports that a local man has been taken into custody after making a concerning post on social media.  Chief Jones explained that law enforcement was recently made aware of a social media post that appeared to be an attempt to organize an unlawful assembly and looting of an area business.  Law enforcement responded with an increased presence in the area and the business took special measures to ensure the safety of its employees and the building.  No disturbance ended up transpiring, although some parties did show up claiming to be there just to watch what was going to happen.  Ultimately those parties left the area without incident. As a result of the subsequent investigation, a 17 year old was taken into custody for Unlawful Use of a Computerized Communication Systems, a class B misdemeanor.

Chief Jones stated that, although the comments made on social media were relatively vague, the Richland Center Police Department takes any such comments as serious potential threats to the public’s safety and property, especially in light of the current heightened tensions across the country.  Jones added that this person’s comments not only cost the taxpayers due to the needed increase in police presence, they also cost the business  who took measures to further secure their building, and its employees who were sent home for their own safety.

Chief Jones also noted that the Richland Center Police Department was aided greatly in this investigation by several area citizens who called and made the Police Department aware of the situation.  Chief Jones stated that the vigilance of these citizens allowed the Police Department to be proactive and prevent a dangerous situation from starting.

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.

Possible Overdose Death at Local Tavern

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On 5/19/2020 at 12:10am EMS was requested at Rumors Bar in Cazenovia for a male party that was found unresponsive in the bar. EMS and deputies responded. Once EMS arrived on scene, Kyle Feldman was found in the restroom not breathing. EMS began medical treatment. When deputies arrived they assisted EMS. Inside the bathroom was found drug paraphernalia associated with heroin use. Narcan was administered by EMS with no success. Medical treatment was stopped and Kyle Feldman was pronounced deceased. Further drug items were located. An autopsy is scheduled to find the cause of death. Assisting at the scene was Cazenovia EMS, Reedsburg EMS, and the Richland County Coroner.

WHO INVOLVED: Kyle Feldman, 33 of Madison, WI

OTHER AGENCIES INVOLVED: Cazenovia EMS, Reedsburg EMS, Richland County Coroner

Two Vehicle Crash on Highway 56 Near Viola Results in Fatality

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On Monday 5/18/2020 at 9pm Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call of a 2 vehicle crash on US Hwy 56, 1/4 mile east of Viola. Sheriff’s Deputies, Viola Fire, Kickapoo Valley Rescue Squad and the Wisconsin State Patrol responded. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department with the assistance of the Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating the 2 vehicle crash which resulted in a fatality. Allen G Nemec, 37 of La Farge was pronounced dead at the scene by the Richland County Coroners Office.

Others involved: Clayton A Gatewood, 27 of Westby.

This crash is currently under investigation.

Two Vehicle Crash on US HWY 14 – 04/03/2020

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On Friday 4/3/2020 Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call of a 2 vehicle crash on US Hwy 14 near Hwy 58. Sheriff’s Deputies, Richland EMS, Richland Fire and the RC Police Dept responded. According to the Sheriff’s Dept, a 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass operated by Daisha R. Sass, 20 of Richland Center, was westbound on Hwy 14 when it slowed due to cattle that had been on the roadway and were making their way to the ditch. Another westbound vehicle, a 2007 Dodge Dakota pick up operated by Joseph Durst of Lone Rock failed to notice the Sass vehicle had slowed. The truck struck the car in the rear causing extensive damage to both vehicles. One person suffered minor injuries but was not transported by EMS. Richland Center Fire assisted law enforcement at the scene with fuel clean up and traffic control. The incident remains under investigation.

One Vehicle Crash Results in an OWI Arrest

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On Monday evening at 7:18pm the Richland County Dispatch Center received a call of a 1 vehicle crash on Cty Hwy B just east of Penny Lane. Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies, Lone Rock Fire & EMS as well as Ithaca 1st Responders were all sent to the scene. According to Deputies, a 2004 GMC pick up truck operated by 36 year old Kevin P. Schmitz of rural Spring Green was eastbound on Hwy B when the truck left the roadway on the south shoulder and struck a driveway. The truck became air born and landed in the ditch. Kevin Schmitz was injured and transported by Lone Rock EMS to the Richland Hospital for minor injuries. Investigators determined alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash and Schmitz was arrested for Operating While under the Influence, 1st Offense.

Other Agencies Involved: Lone Rock EMS, Lone Rock Fire, Ithaca First Responders

Report COVID-19 Fraud

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FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation

March 31, 2020

Looking for some more information about COVID-19 fraud? The United States Department of Justice set up a new website to consolidate information: https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus

Be aware that criminals are attempting to exploit COVID-19 worldwide through a variety of scams. There have been reports of:

  • Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
  • Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received – Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.

Criminals will likely continue to use new methods to exploit COVID-19 worldwide.

If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you can report it without leaving your home through a number of platforms.