Richland County Sheriff's Department

Semi Crash with Minor Injuries

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On 06/03/2017 at approximately 11:53 AM the Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a semi-truck crash on US Hwy 14 West with possible injuries. When Law Enforcement Officers arrived, it was discovered the eastbound lane was also blocked. Upon investigation deputies determined that the semi tanker unit, owned by Barth Trucking, was eastbound and had left the roadway into the south ditch line. It continued east bound while in the ditch for approximately 800 feet, went over top of a driveway and came to rest with the semi-tractor on US Hwy 14 blocking the east bound lane of traffic. The semi driver, Ernest Hass age 70 of Cashton, had a possible arm injury and was transported by Richland County EMS to the Richland Hospital. The east bound lane of US Hwy 14 was closed for a short period of time to allow emergency personnel to clear the scene.

The Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by Richland County EMS, Boaz First Responders and the Richland Center Fire Department.

Man Found Pinned by Tractor During Search

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The Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a call at 7:41 PM of a missing person. The caller said Steve O. Jones, age 61 of Cazenovia, had been gone since earlier in the morning, and family had searched the area and had not located him. Also missing was a Ford 900 tractor. Unsure of direction of travel or where he would be. It wasn’t like him to not leave word where he was going to be. Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area. Family and friends continued to check the property while deputies broadened the search area. A call was placed for an airplane from the State to respond with night vision capabilities. At around 12:11 AM, with the help of neighbors, deputies located the Ford 900 tractor rolled over in a deep ditch along Cty NN, .4 of a mile south of Spencer Hill Rd. The tractor had rolled over and pinned Steve Jones under the unit. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. A Richland County Coroner pronounced Jones dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s Department was also assisted at the scene by the Richland Center Fire Department.

Two Vehicle Crash in Ithaca Township

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At 8:01am on Monday June 5, The Richland County Sheriff’s Department 911 Center received a report of a 2 vehicle head on crash on Co Hwy N just east of Smurf Ln. in Ithaca Township.  A 2001 Chevrolet Impala operated by Chad Lovelace of Milton, WI was traveling eastbound on County N and entering a curve when a 2009 Pontiac car driven by Jennifer VonBehren of Hillpoint entered the same curve traveling westbound.  VonBehren crossed over the center line and struck the Lovelace vehicle in the front drivers area.  Both vehicles came to rest on the north side of the roadway.  Richland County EMS, Ithaca First Responders and the Richland Center Fire Department responded to the scene.   Jennifer VonBehren was injured but declined medical transport.  A juvenile passenger in her vehicle was not injured, and no injury was reported to Chad Lovelace.   Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

WHEN: 6/5/2017          TIME of Incident: 8:01 AM

ARREST or CHARGES: VonBehren was cited for operating left of center, and no insurance.  |  Lovelace was cited for operating after suspension, no insurance and was arrested for an outstanding warrant from the WI Dept of Corrections.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland County EMS, Ithaca First Responders and the Richland Center Fire Department

Joseph Jakubowski Captured in Richland County

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Richland County authorities in conjunction with the FBI have confirmed a male subject identified as Joseph Jakubowski is in custody. Law Enforcement Agencies were notified at approximately 8:30 PM on 4/13/2017 and a perimeter was established. Other agencies arrived and Jakubowski was taken in to custody at 6:04 AM.

Joseph Jakubowski was a subject of a nationwide man hunt by the FBI, ATF and Rock County Sheriff’s Department since he was identified in the robbery of a gun dealer in Janesville, Wisconsin last week.

Jakubowski was at a property on County Hwy U south of the village of Viola, and was discovered last evening by the land owner. The land owner called the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department to report the male subject on his property.  [Read more…]

Skimmer Device – Press Release

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RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
Press Release
March 29, 2017
For Immediate Release

Chief of Police Lucas Clements reports that the police department received several debit card fraud complaints over the past weekend. Each complaint involved debit card numbers and their associated PIN being stolen and then used fraudulently on a cloned debit card.

This type of crime and method is consistent with thieves using a “skimmer” device that can be used to obtain credit or debit card information. The use of “skimmers” has become more common across the country in recent years, with “skimmers” typically being placed inside gas pumps, making them undetectable without opening the pump.

After the thieves place the “skimmer” inside a gas pump, they return after a period of time and remove the device and or simply collect the data, which consists of the credit or debit card information from customers paying at the pump.

While investigating the rash of debit card fraud complaints, Chief Clements states the police department contacted our local gas stations to assist in checking for “skimmer” devices. As a result, one “skimmer” device was located at Triangle Kwik Stop (TKS) on Sextonville Road and removed by law enforcement. No additional “skimmers” were located within the city.

TKS has added additional anti-tampering security features and monitoring to each of their pumps, there isn’t a concern of further accounts being compromised. [Read more…]

Attempted Theft of a Boat from Vetesnik Power Sports

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On March 27, 2017, deputies responded to a call of suspicious activity near Vetesnik Power Sports. Upon arrival, deputies located a boat and trailer blocking the roadway on Sawmill Road off of US Hwy 14. Deputies located a vehicle parked nearby registered to Westphal. K9 Rambo was deployed and the area was searched. Westphal was located at a nearby business and arrested for felony theft, obstructin and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, second offense. Deputies were assisted on scene by the Richland Center Police Department.

WHEN: 3/27/2017          TIME of Incident: 9:14 PM

ARRESTED: Michael W Westphal, 32 of Blue River, WI

ARREST or CHARGES: 943.20 (3)(C) Felony Theft Over $10,000, 946.41 Obstructing an Officer, 346.63(1)(A) Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated, 2nd Offense

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

Richland County Law Enforcement Agencies Investigating Fraud Complaints

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The Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Richland Center Police Department report that the two departments are investigating multiple fraud complaints involving identity theft and debit card fraud.
It appears that debit card numbers along with pin numbers have been compromised when the cards were used at area businesses recently.  Fraudulent purchases and withdrawals have been reported by local residents.

Law Enforcement recommends you monitor your accounts for unauthorized transactions. Report any suspicious account activity to your financial institution and your local law enforcement. Law Enforcement also recommends when using your debit card, take care to shield your PIN number.

Authorities Working to Identify 2 Men in Richland County Fraud Case

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On March 25, 2017 the Richland County Sheriff’s Department took a fraud complaint from a party in Richland County. The reporting party advised that her debit card was used to make fraudulent purchases at seven different Wal-Mart stores.  The incident happened on March 24, 2017 for approximately $850 dollars. Purchases were made from the Sun Prairie, Madison West & East, Stoughton, Baraboo and Lake Delton Wal-Mart stores. Law enforcement was able to get photos of two suspect parties and their vehicle. Both suspect parties are male Hispanics in their late 20’s and early 30’s. The suspect vehicle is a newer white Hummer with unknown plate.

If you are able to identify either suspect party or have other information regarding this complaint please contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 608-647-2106.

Sting Operation Results in Arrest of 21 Year Old

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Officers of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and Richland Center Police Department arrested a subject after an investigation revealed solicitation to have sex with a minor using electronic devices or a computer.

On March 6, 2017, law enforcement arrested Drew Sackmann of rural Hillpoint after an investigation revealed Sackmann was attempting to solicit sexual acts from a minor through electronic devices. Officer’s learned of Sackmann’s previous attempts to contact a minor, officers posed as the underage female where further contact was made by Sackmann. During that investigation, Sackmann made requests for sexual acts and sent inappropriate pictures while believing he was speaking to the minor. A meeting was set up by the investigating officer at Krouskop Park in Richland Center in which Sackmann believed the minor would meet him. Upon arrival, Sackmann was arrested by officers without incident. Officers were able to recover further evidence of the crime at the scene. Sackmann was transported to the Richland County Jail where he is awaiting a future court appearance.

WHEN:  03/06/2017    TIME of Incident:  7:05 PM

ARRESTED: Drew C. Sackmann of Hillpoint, WI

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

ARREST or CHARGES: Child Enticement (948.07), Use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime ( 948.075 (1r)), Exposing a child to harmful material ( 948.11 (2a))

Arrest made in Burglary of the Bat Cave Saloon

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On Monday January 23rd 2017 at approximately 1:05am, forced entry was made into the Bat Cave Saloon in Gotham.  A male subject entered the building and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the saloon.  During the investigation of the burglary, pictures of the subject in the saloon were placed on the Sheriff’s Department Facebook Page.  The Sheriff’s Department received several tips from the community resulting in an arrest.  On Wednesday January 25th at approximately 9:59pm, deputies made contact with Joshua Crook.  After speaking with Crook, he was arrested in connection to the burglary.

Who Involved: Joshua D Crook, 26, of Gotham, WI

Arrest or Charges: 943.10 (1m)(a) Burglary, 943.01 (1) Damage to Property

Other Agencies Involved: Richland County Crime Stoppers, and the Richland Center Police Department