Richland County Sheriff's Department

One Vehicle Rollover Results in the Death of a Muscoda Man

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On 03-08-21 at approximately 7:00pm, a vehicle was traveling southbound on State Hwy 80 when it lost control and slide sideways into the west ditch. The vehicle is believed to have rolled multiple times and came to rest on the passenger side door. Both occupants of the vehicle were trapped inside and needed to be extricated by the Richland Center Fire Department. Thomas R. Poupart, 28 of Muscoda was transported via Richland County EMS to the Richland Hospital for his injuries. Poupart was later tansported via Med-Flight to UW Hospital in Madison. Zachary W. Brunton, 29 of Muscoda was pronounced dead at the scene. The Wisconsin State Patrol assisted with a crash reconstruction of the accident scene. Speed and alcohol were believed to be contributing factors in the crash and the investigation is still ongoing.

Who Involved:
Zachary W. Brunton, 29 of Muscoda, WI
Thomas R. Poupart, 28 of Muscoda, WI

Other Agencies Involved:
Richland County EMS, Richland Center Fire Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, UW Med Flight, Richland County District Attorney’s Office, Richland County Coroner

Suspect Taken Into Custody After Threats Made Involving Handgun

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On February 14th, 2021 at 3:20pm Richland County Sheriff Deputies responded to Lone Rock where they met with a victim who reported that she had been in an argument with Michael Paulsen. The victim said that during the argument, Michael Paulsen pointed a handgun at her and said that he was going to kill her, the kids, and himself. The victim was able to get out of the residence with the kids and contact law enforcement. Michael Paulsen did not answer his door or phone when law enforcement attempted contact.

Law enforcement was later able to make phone contact with Michael Paulsen. The suspect agreed to exit his residence and was safely taken into custody.

Location of Incident: 531 W. Exchange Street, Lone Rock, WI

Who Involved: Michael A. Paulsen, 41, of Lone Rock, WI

Other Agencies Involved:

  • Richland County Special Response Team
  • Richland Center Police Department
  • Lone Rock EMS
  • Lone Rock Fire Department

Pending Charges:

  • 941.20(1) Endangering Safety By Use OF A Dangerous Weapon
  • 941.30(2) Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety
  • 947.01 Disorderly Conduct (Domestic Abuse Related)

Armed Robbery Suspect Apprehended

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On November 8th, 2020, at 8PM a worker from the Boaz Country store called the Richland County Sheriff’s Department to inform law enforcement that they were robbed at knife point. A description of the suspect along with video of the incident were obtained by law enforcement. At approximately 11:45 PM the Richland Center Police Department observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspects vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. Items consistent with the robbery were located inside the vehicle. The Suspect was arrested and taken to the Richland County Jail.

Who Involved: Mekel J.L. Gordon, 19, of Soldiers Grove, WI

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

 

Disturbance Call leads to Drug Arrest

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On 07/11/2020 at approximately 10:17pm, Richland County Dispatch was notified of a disturbance at an apartment building located on Hwy 14 just west of State Hwy 58. Thomas Spry reportedly entered his neighbors apartment causing a disturbance and was sprayed by bear mace by the occupant. Spry went back to his apartment and contacted 911 seeking medical attention. When deputies were assisting Spry in his apartment they observed what appeared to be drug paraphernalia. Spry was transported by Richland County EMS to the Richland Hospital due to the exposure of the bear mace. A search warrant was obtained and executed on Spry’s apartment where several items of drug paraphernalia were located along with methamphetamine and marijuana. Spry was arrested and booked into the Richland County Jail.

Who Involved: Thomas Spry, 68 of Richland Center, wI

Agencies Involved: Richland County Ambulance Service, Richland Center Police Department, and Richland County District Attorney’s Office

Arrests or Charges: Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass to a Dwelling, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of THC

UTV Crash at State Hwy 58 and County Hwy N

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On 07/12/2020 at approximately 12:26am Richland County Dispatch was notified of a UTV crash at the intersection of State Hwy 58 and County Hwy N to the east. Upon arrival EMS and officers located a male party laying in the middle of County Hwy N just east at the intersection with State Hwy 58. The UTV was located still running off the south side of County Hwy N east of his location; however there appeared to be no damage to the UTV or evidence of a crash. The male party appeared to have severe head injuries. The male party was transported to the Richland Hospital, then transferred to Madison via UW Med Flight for serious injuries.

Who Involved:  Robb Bee, 52 of Richland Center, WI

Other Agencies Involved:  Richland County Ambulance Service, Richland Center Fire Department, and Ithaca First Responders

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.