Richland County Sheriff's Office

Car Crash leads to Drug Arrest

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Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash on US Hwy 14 near Fairview Rd just after 4:30pm on Friday evening. Witnesses on scene informed law enforcement that the driver of one vehicle involved in the crash had walked out into a nearby cornfield on two separate occasions and was acting suspiciously. K9 Rambo was deployed for a search of the nearby area and located two containers filled with a substantial amount of marijuana. K9 Rambo also alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the suspect’s vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and numerous items of drug paraphernalia, prescription pills, and more substances containing THC were discovered.   Also found in the vehicle was approximately $9,300.00 in cash linked to the distribution of illegal narcotics. The suspect, Raymond J. Otigham was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail. This case has been referred to the Richland County District Attorney for formal charges. Any information regarding suspicious activity or crimes of any kind can be reported to Richland County Crime Stoppers at 608-647-CLUE (2583).

WHEN: 06-23-17          TIME of Incident:  4:30 pm

WHO Involved:  Raymond J. Otigham  DOB 07-23-1973, Madison WI

Agencies Involved:

  •  Richland County Sheriff’s Dept.
  • Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force
  • Richland County District Attorney’s Office

WHERE Incident Happened: US Hwy 14 & Fairview Rd, Buena Vista Township

ARREST or CHARGES:  961.41(1m)(h)- Possession of THC with Intent to Deliver, 961.41(3g)(am)- Possession of Schedule II Narcotic, 961.573(1)-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 946.41(2m)(a)- Resisting or Obstructing an Officer.

Welfare Check Leads to Arrest for OWI 6th Offense

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On June 22, 2017 a Richland County Deputy was traveling on US Hwy 14 East and noticed a vehicle pulled to the side of the road with its hazard lights flashing. The Deputy stopped to check on the vehicle and found it running with one male occupant in the drivers seat. The Deputy detected an odor of intoxicant and investigated further. As a result of the investigation, Steven L. Overman of Lone Rock was arrested for OWI, 6th offense. The Deputy discovered a cold 12 pack of beer in the vehicle that had several cans missing. Overman admitted to consuming alcohol while driving in the area for about an hour an a half. Steven Overman was transported to the Richland County Jail without incident. Charges on the incident will be forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.

Who Involved: Steven L. Overman, 67 of Lone Rock, WI

WHEN: 6/22/2017          TIME of Incident: 4:25 AM

ARREST or CHARGES: Operating a motor vehicle under the influence, 6th Offense

Road Closures due to High Water

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County Officials are reporting road closures in the county due to high water.

Update: County Hwy D and County Hwy C are now open.  County Hwy I remains closed until water recedes.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the Richland County Highway Dept and Richland County Emergency Services is notifying residents of rising water and flooding in the area. Due to the heavy rainfall, some roads in the county are now officially closed until the high water recedes.
These roadways include: Cty D at the intersection with Cty DD; Cty C 2.5 miles west of Hwy 80; and Cty I between the Hwy 80 intersection and the first bridge. Officials are also watching the Rockbridge and Hub City areas as the water continues to rise. County Officials will stay on top of the situation, and remind all travelers to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”.

Phone Scams & Fraud Complaints

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Richland County Sheriff James Bindl is alerting local citizens that his department is again receiving calls regarding phone scams and fraud complaints.

In the latest complaints received by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, victims receive a phone call from a party claiming to be a grandson stating that he is in jail and needs money to be released. The victim is then connected to a person claiming to be the officer in charge or attorney to provide details on how to pay the bond for their grandson’s release. Victims to these scams have stated that the party on the phone does sound like their grandchildren and will even use their grandchild’s name when they call. In some cases the scammer will ask the victim to go put money on a pre-paid gift card and then send them the card number.

Sheriff Bindl said that if you receive a similar phone call to check with your family members on their personal phone. Sheriff Bindl is asking all citizens to use caution with any suspicious phone call that you receive. If you have any questions about a possible scam feel free to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Authority: Sheriff James J. Bindl

Theft in Progress leads to Arrest

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Richland County deputies were dispatched to a report of a theft in progress at a residence on HWY 80 in Eagle Township.  Upon arrival at the scene deputies had found that caretakers at the property had found two male subjects attempting to load a John Deere Gator onto an U-Haul trailer.  Upon further investigation it was found that entry had been made into the residence and items were missing and located in Sugdens vehicle. Andrew Sugden was arrested at the scene.  The vehicle and trailer used at the scene were also suspect in a gas drive off from the City of Richland Center earlier in the morning.  During the investigation it was found that the U-Haul trailer was stolen from the village of Muscoda. The case is still under investigation.

Who Involved: Andrew L Sugden, 27 of Cuba City  |  James R Miller, 29 of Cazenovia

WHEN: 6/10/2017          TIME of Incident: 9:18 AM

ARREST or CHARGES: Andrew Sugden was booked into the Richland County Jail with charges of burglary, attempted felony theft, misdemeanor theft, obstructing an officer and 6 counts of bail jumping.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Muscoda Police 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…]