Richland County Sheriff's Department

Man Taken Into Custody After Short Standoff

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Lt. Billy Jones of the Richland Center Police Department reports that a man was taken into custody after a short standoff with Police at the Ramada Inn early Monday morning.

Jay M. Walsh, 56, was arrested and tentatively charged with 1st Degree Reckless Endangerment, Endangering Safety by the Use of a Dangerous Weapon, Disorderly Conduct, and three counts of Bail Jumping .

Lt. Jones stated that the standoff began after RCPD Officers attempted to make contact with Walsh, who was causing a disturbance at the Ramada Inn.  Officers also had reason to make contact with Walsh concerning an altercation that had occurred the previous day at different location in the City of Richland Center.  Walsh, however, refused to open the door.  Based on information learned during the investigation of the altercation the previous day, Officers had reason to believe that Walsh may be armed with a firearm.   After repeated attempts to get Walsh to exit the room were unsuccessful, the Richland County Special Response Team (SRT) was called out.  The SRT responded and ultimately made a forced tactical entry into the room and took Walsh into custody without further incident.

All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

The SRT is a combined tactical unit comprised by Officers from Richland Center Police Department and Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.  Officers and Deputies on the SRT receive specialized training in various tactical applications to assist in the safe conclusions in situations such as this one.

Walsh remains in custody on a 10,000 cash bond.  Lt. Jones stated that there is no further threat to the community.

In addition to the SRT, Officers of the Richland Center Police Department were assisted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County EMS, and the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.

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Police Department Press Release

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Chief Lucas Clements reports that at approximately 6:40 a.m. on May 18th an Officer from the Richland Center Police Department recognized Christopher D. Grabowski, 34, of Richland Center traveling as a passenger in a vehicle westbound on W. 6th St.

The Officer ran a warrant check on Grabowski and confirmed that there were warrants out for his arrest. Upon contact with Grabowski at Mobil Mart, Grabowski was taken into custody after a short foot chase. Search incident to arrest, Officers located drug paraphernalia on Grabowski’s person used to ingest methamphetamine. Grabowski also admitted to having further drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle yielded further drug paraphernalia as well as methamphetamine and marijuana.

Contact was made with the driver of the vehicle, Robert J.  Engebretson, 52, of Richland Center. Upon contact with Engebretson, the Officer noted signs of impairment. Standardized Field Sobriety tests were conducted with Engebretson, who displayed signs of impairment.

As a result of the investigation both Engebretson and Grabowski were placed under arrest for the following tentative charges:

Robert J. Engebretson

  • Possession of Methamphetamine (2nd or subsequent offense)
  • Possession of THC (2nd or subsequent offense)
  • Operating While Under the Influence
Christopher D. Grabowski
  • Possession of Methamphetamine (2nd or subsequent offense)
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Possession of THC (2nd or subsequent offense)
  • Resisting or Obstructing an Officer
  • Bail Jumping (4 counts)

The Richland Center Police Department was assisted on scene by Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The investigation has been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges to be filed.

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RCPD Click It or Ticket 2019

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Richland Center Police Department to mobilize for Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement from May 20th to June 2nd.

Chief Lucas Clements points out that this year marks the 10-year anniversary of Wisconsin’s primary enforcement seat belt law. Since the law took effect in June of 2009, Wisconsin’s seat belt use rate has climbed from 74 percent in 2009, to just over 89 percent today. Over the last decade alone, numerous motorists in Wisconsin have avoided serious injury or death thanks to the simple click of a seat belt.

Still, law enforcement and other emergency responders see far too many people who make the dangerous – and frankly – irresponsible decision to not wear a safety belt. Last year, about half of the car and truck occupants killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes were not buckled up. These needless tragedies devastate families and generate enormous societal costs. Chief Clements states, “As part of our larger public safety mission, the Richland Center Police Department will join law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin as part of the national Click It or Ticket mobilization May 20 to June 2.”

Across our state and nation, officers will work in greater numbers for longer hours – not to simply stop and cite motorists – but to encourage everyone to voluntarily comply with traffic laws that serve to keep the public safe. During Click It or Ticket – and throughout the year – our goal is to ensure that all motorists are safely buckled up – every seat, every trip

Sex Offender Information Bulletin Community Notification

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Area Residents:

The Richland Center Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 301.46(2m) which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offender’s release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety, awareness and protection.

The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense that requires registration with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registration Program (SORP). Further, this individual’s previous history places him in a classification level that reflects the potential to re-offend.

This sex offender has served the prison sentence imposed on him by the courts. THIS PERSON IS NOT WANTED BY POLICE. This notification is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.

Sex offenders have always lived in our communities, but it was not until the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Law was enacted, that law enforcement was able to share this information with the community.

Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated.

Date of photo: 02-2019

Vernon R. Washington, age 38. In 2005, he was convicted in Richland County Court of two counts of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child. The victim was a 15-year-old female. He is described as follows:

Male/Black, 5’9”, 153 pounds, black hair, brown eyes.

Alias- “Vielo”

RESIDENCE:

Upon release from incarceration on April 9th, 2019, Vernon Washington will be living at 307 S. Church Street, Apt. #2 in the City of Richland Center.

EMPLOYMENT:

Employment will be approved by the Department of Corrections. No contact with minors.

SUPERVISION PLAN:

  1. No unsupervised contact with minors.
  2. No taverns/bars/liquor stores. Not to consume alcohol or drugs.
  3. Comply with standard sex offender rules.
  4. Comply with any recommended treatment.
  5. Comply with lifetime registration with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registration Program.
  6. Comply with electronic monitoring (GPS).

Agency Contacts:

Department of Corrections, Division of Community Corrections- Agent Mary Collins-Johnsrud, 647-4848.

Richland Center Police Department- Chief Lucas Clements, 647-2103.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

To learn more about the Sex Offender Registration Program in the State of Wisconsin, or to obtain information on other registered sex offenders living in the Richland Center area, please visit the sex offender registration website at http://offender.doc.state.wi.us/public/.

To obtain information on anyone under supervision please visit the State of Wisconsin, Department of Correction’s website at http://doc.wi.gov/Home.

*This bulletin was prepared by the Richland County Sex Offender Registration Notification Team.

Alert Off-Duty Deputy Leads to Drug Arrests

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Chief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department reports that two men were arrested over the weekend on various drug related charges.

Kiefer J. Beran, 27, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Felony Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resisting/Obstructing an Officer.

Logan J. Lenz, 27 of Arena, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Chief Clements stated that the investigation started when Kiefer Beran was seen in the Richland Center Walmart by an off-duty Deputy of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, who was familiar with Beran through numerous police contacts.  The Deputy was also aware that Beran had an active arrest warrant through the Department of Corrections (DOC).

The Deputy then contacted on-duty Officers with the Richland Center Police Department and informed them of Beran’s location.  On duty Officers from the Richland Center Police Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Department were able to make contact with Beran after conducting a traffic stop of the vehicle that he was a passenger in.

Beran was then taken into custody on the DOC warrant. The subsequent investigation found Beran to be in possession of numerous items associated with the injection of controlled substances.  Also, found in Beran’s jacket were a loaded syringe and four (4) separate baggies containing methamphetamine with a combined weight of 15.1 grams.  In addition, Beran was also found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana.  The driver of the vehicle, Logan Lenz, was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.

All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Chief Clements states that this investigation was the result of the diligence of the off-duty Deputy. Chief Clements also commented on the sound law enforcement tactics displayed by Officers and Deputies on patrol who responded, which allowed them to apprehend Beran on the DOC warrant and then conduct a thorough investigation that resulted in numerous charges and a substantial amount of methamphetamine being taken off the street.

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.

 

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Fire Investigation Leads to Drug Arrests

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Chief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department reports that, on 2-24-19, Officers responded to a residential house fire at 1152 N. Central Ave., in the City of Richland Center.

Upon contact with the residence, Officers located the renter of the home, who had been the sole occupant of the residence, in her vehicle outside. Officers observed indications of fire within the residence, but were unable to enter because of the smoke. The Richland Center Fire Department was requested and was able to extinguish the fire, containing it to a bedroom. The rest of the residence suffered moderate smoke damage.

During the subsequent investigation, Officers located a small amount of suspected methamphetamine and items recognized by Officers to be used to ingest methamphetamine. The renter was questioned and admitted to the possession of the drug and drug related items. The source of the fire was investigated by Deputy State Fire Marshals from the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, in conjunction with RCPD and RCFD officials, and no evidence of intentional arson was found.

As a result of the investigation, Ronda K. Leffler, 53 of Richland Center, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Felony Bail Jumping.

All of the above listed drug related charges also carry a potential penalty enhancer because the offences took place within 1,000 feet of a park. All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

In addition to the RCFD and the State Fire Marshals, Officers were assisted on scene by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County EMS, Richland Center City Utilities, and the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.

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Grand Jury Returns Indictment

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Richland Center Police Chief Lucas Clements would like to pass on a press release from the United States Department of Justice, involving the indictment of a Richland Center resident for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to deliver.

MADISON, WIS. — A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictment.  You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Joshua Clarke, 31, Richland Center, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on November 11, 2018.

Link to initial press release https://ci.richland-center.wi.us/traffic-stop-ends-in-arrests/

Joshua D. Clarke

If convicted, Clarke faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Richland Center Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County District Attorney’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma.

Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week

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Adult School Crossing Guards play a critical role in keeping students safe as they walk to and from school each day. Adult School Crossing Guards place the children’s safety above their own while facing speeding motorists, cell phone users, and others disregarding traffic signals to ensure that all traffic is stopped before students enter the roadway

The Richland Center Police Department and the Richland School District would like to inform the community that January 14th through January 18th, 2019, has been proclaimed Wisconsin Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week.

It is important that we all take the time to say thank you to our local Adult School Crossing Guard, Bill Hall, who is tasked with the responsibility for the safe crossing of children near Jefferson Elementary. No matter if it is raining, snowing, sleeting, or 10 degrees below zero, Bill Hall never fails to do his duty. So next time you walk your child to school, or drop them off at the crosswalk, be sure to thank Bill Hall for watching out for your child. It is sometimes a thankless job, but rain or shine, he is always there.

Arrest Made in Connection With Counterfeit $100 Bills

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The Richland Center Police Department would like to alert area businesses and residents to watch for counterfeit $100 bills that may begin to appear throughout Richland and surrounding counties.

On January 8th, 2019 at approximately 3:35 PM, Officers with the Richland Center Police Department received complaints of three counterfeit $100 bills being used at two local businesses within the City of Richland Center.

At approximately 5:30 PM on January 8th, 2019 the Richland Center Police Department was made aware of a counterfeit currency investigation by Officers with the Muscoda Police Department. As a result of the Muscoda Police Department investigation, probable cause was established to arrest 36 year old Michael D. Streiff for crimes he committed in Muscoda.

At approximately 10:00 PM on January 8th, 2019 Richland Center Police Officers located Streiff in the City of Richland Center, and through the subsequent investigation, Officers located 17 counterfeit $100 dollar bills in his possession.

Through further investigation, it was confirmed that the three counterfeit $100 dollar bills that had been accepted at local businesses in Richland Center earlier in the afternoon, had come from Streiff and an accomplice. The serial numbers on the counterfeit $100 bills used at the local businesses were the same as the serial numbers on the counterfeit $100 bills found on Streiff’s possession. It is unknown at this time how many of the counterfeit $100 bills may be in circulation.

On January 8th, 2019, Michael D. Streiff was arrested and transported to the Grant County Jail for charges related to the Muscoda Police Department investigation. Once Streiff’s Grant County court hearing is complete he will be turned over to Richland Center Police Department authorities and arrested for the following: Forgery (17 counts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Schedule IV Drug, Possession of Prescription Drug without a Prescription, and Bail Jumping (10 counts).

All Richland Center charges will be forwarded to Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper for prosecution.

Chief Clements states, “The counterfeit $100 bills are obvious forgeries. They also have identical serial numbers of LB45440078L and are printed on distinctly thicker paper.”

Chief Clements is urging people and businesses to pay close attention to $100 bills. The counterfeit bills can be detected with a currency detector pen and by taking an extra second to observe the front and back of the bill.  Residents and stores are asked to carefully check bills when accepting money and turn in all suspected counterfeit bills to law enforcement as they are aware of the issue.

Chief Clements states in addition to the great police work among neighboring law enforcement agencies, the Richland Center Police Department is working with the United States Secret Service to find the source of the counterfeit money.

Child Welfare Investigation Leads to Drug Arrests

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Chief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department reports that, on 12-27-18, Officers made contact at a residence in the City of Richland Center over a reported concern that children were being exposed to methamphetamine, which was being used and distributed within the residence.

Upon contact with the occupants of the residence, Officers found numerous children, including several toddlers and a baby. Officers also located several methamphetamine pipes, including one that still had smoke coming out of it. Further investigation discovered a baggie of methamphetamine and numerous items associated with methamphetamine usage and distribution, such as pipes, pipe cleaning items, syringes, snorting straws, scales, and repackaging baggies. As a result of the investigation, the following subjects were taken into custody.

Hope M. Millard, 33 of Richland Center, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Maintaining a Drug Trafficking House, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Child Neglect.

Ronda K. Leffler, 53 of Richland Center, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Maintaining a Drug Trafficking House, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Child Neglect.

Derek J. McDiarmid, 25 of Blue River, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Child Neglect, and Felony Bail Jumping.

All of the above listed drug related charges also carry a penalty enhancer because the offences took place within 1,000 feet of a park. All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

All juveniles in the house were examined by medical personnel before being released to responsible parties as determined by Richland County Child Protective Services (CPS).

In addition to CPS, the Richland Center Police Department was assisted on scene by the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and Richland County EMS.

Chief Clements states that this investigation was the result of a combination of consistent, sound law enforcement tactics conducted by Officers on patrol and a concerned citizen who was observant and reported their concerns to law enforcement. Chief Clements would like citizens to remain vigilant and continue to report suspicious activity, no matter how minor, noting that this case is a great example of how citizen involvement partnered with law enforcement can reduce crime within our community.

Chief Clements added that this case was also a prime example of why the Drug Endangered Children program was adopted locally in 2016. Chief Clements explained that the Drug Endangered Children program is a State program designed to increase communication and efficiency amongst agencies vested in the protection of children.

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.