Richland County Sheriff's Department

Traffic Contact Leads to K9 Deployment and Drug Arrest

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On 03-04-18, Sander was observed operating a vehicle in the City of Richland Center with a revoked driver’s license. Contact was made, and Sander was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail. K9 Rambo was utilized for an open free-air sniff of the vehicle being operated by Sander and gave a positive alert to the odor of illegal narcotics. A search of the vehicle resulted in numerous baggies of a white crystal substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine. Glass smoking devices, a digital scale, and other items of drug paraphernalia were also located in a bag belonging to Sander inside the vehicle. Sander was also out on misdemeanor bond through Richland County for a previous Operating after Revocation arrest. Any suspicious activity can be reported to Richland County Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583).

WHEN: 3/4/18       TIME of Incident:  07:39PM

WHO Involved: Treagir J. Sander

Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Richland County District Attorney

WHERE Incident Happened: N. Jefferson Street & W. Mill Street

ARREST or CHARGES: Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamaphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Operating After Revocation, Bail Jumping

Two Arrested on Methamphetamine Charges

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RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
Press Release
December 21st, 2017

The Richland Center Police Department reports that two subjects were taken into custody on methamphetamine charges early Thursday, December 21st.

Chief of Police Lucas Clements states that at approximately 1:00 a.m. on December 21st Officers with the Richland Center Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle within the City of Richland Center for an equipment violation. During the normal course of the traffic stop, K-9 Rambo, from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department was deployed. K-9 Rambo gave a positive indication on the vehicle for the presence of narcotics.

The driver and a passenger in the vehicle were removed. Upon their removal, Officers observed the two begin to act nervous and reach inside their pockets. Subsequent investigation recovered methamphetamine from both parties.

As a result, the driver of the vehicle, Lori L. Oman, 47, of Sextonville was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, operating while under the influence of a controlled substance-4th offense, misdemeanor bail jumping, and cited for operating after suspension.

The passenger, Joshua D. Clarke, 30, of Richland Center was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felony bail jumping.

Charges for both Oman and Clarke will be forwarded to Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper for prosecution.

Chief Clements adds, “This is yet another fine example of the alert work that our Officers and Deputies do each day and night to keep our community safe.”

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Third Member of Methamphetamine Conspiracy Sentenced

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RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
Press Release
November 17th, 2017

Richland Center Police Chief Lucas Clements would like to pass on a press release from the United States Department of Justice, involving the sentencing of a Richland County resident for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Local members from the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force assisted several Federal, State, Out-of-State and Local law enforcement agencies during this lengthy investigation.

MADISON, WIS. — Jeffrey M. Anderson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that James Nehls, 31, Lone Rock, Wis., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to seven years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Nehls pleaded guilty to this charge on August 31, 2017.

The amount of methamphetamine attributable to Nehls was approximately 42 ounces. During sentencing, Judge Conley described the amount of methamphetamine distributed through this entire conspiracy as “staggering” for Madison.

Nehls and seven other individuals were charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in March for their roles in this methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Seven of the eight individuals charged in the indictment have pleaded guilty; Nehls is the third to be sentenced.

The charge against Nehls was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration- Madison, Wisconsin and Los Angeles, California; Dane County Narcotics Task Force; Dane County Sheriff’s Department; Madison Police Department; UW-Madison Police Department; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Sauk County Drug Task Force; Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force; Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office; State Line Area Narcotics Team; and Rock County Special Investigations Unit. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Reinhard and Diane Schlipper.

Chief Clements adds that, “There are other local parties involved with this federal investigation that are awaiting adjudication in the Federal Court system.”

 

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Alert Patrol Officers and Deputies Make Drug Arrests in Richland Center

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RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
Press Release
November 17th, 2017

Richland Center Police Chief Lucas Clements reports two recent drug arrests within the City of Richland Center.

While on patrol November 15th, a Deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department contacted the operator of a suspicious vehicle parked in the parking lot of a closed business within the City of Richland Center. During the contact, it was learned that the operator had driven to the parking lot and had a revoked driver’s license due to an OWI related offense. The operator was arrested for driving after revocation. Upon his arrest, the operator began acting nervous at the presence of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department K-9 being on scene. K-9 Rambo was deployed and gave a positive indication on the vehicle in question. A search of the vehicle located methamphetamine.

The operator of the vehicle, Perry M. Phillips, 27, of Richland Center was arrested on possession of methamphetamine, operating while revoked (OWI related), and for three counts of bail jumping. At the time of his arrest on November 15th, Phillips had been previously released from custody on two Richland County bail bonds and one Iowa County bail bond. Assisting with the arrest of Phillips were Officers from the Richland Center Police Department.

Perry M. Phillips

After being incarcerated in the Richland County Jail, Phillips became physically unruly and assaultive towards Deputies. As a result of the incident in the jail, Phillips is facing the additional potential charges of battery by a prisoner to an officer and disorderly conduct. A Deputy injured in the incident was treated and released from the Richland Center Hospital the same day.

Sheriff James Bindl states, “This arrest is an example of what our Deputies inside the jail deal with day in and day out. Just because the jail is a secure facility doesn’t mean our Deputies don’t face dangers. I’m thankful our Deputies were able to quickly and calmly neutralize this volatile situation without further incident.”

One night later, November 16th, an Officer with the Richland Center Police Department made a traffic stop on a vehicle within the City of Richland Center. During the normal course of the traffic stop, a Deputy with the Richland County Sheriff Department approached the vehicle with K-9 Rambo. Before being able to deploy Rambo, alert Officers observed a passenger in the vehicle begin to reach for his pants pocket. Officers ordered the passenger to stop reaching for his pocket, which he did not. Officers quickly responded to the passenger’s non-compliance, removing him from the vehicle and securing him. Subsequent investigation recovered methamphetamine from the pocket the passenger had been reaching for.

As a result, James R. Heather, 27, of Baraboo and formerly of Gotham, was arrested on possession of methamphetamine. A criminal check also indicated Heather had an outstanding warrant through the Department of Corrections.

James R. Heather

Charges for both Phillips and Heather will be forwarded to Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper for prosecution.

Chief Clements commented,  “Great, solid arrests!  I appreciate our Officers and Deputies being alert to the criminal activities happening in our community and using their extensive training to be certain those committing crimes are transitioned out of our community and into jail.  I am grateful for the excellent work all of our Officers and Deputies do on a daily basis.”

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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…]

RCPD – Recent Burglaries within the City

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Chief of Police Lucas Clements reports that the police department is investigating two burglaries which occurred in the downtown area over the past month. According to Chief Clements, the Hunter’s Outlet, located at 182 N. Main St. was entered December 17th at approximately 9:00 p.m. and again on December 19th at approximately 1:15 a.m., with handguns taken each time.

Clements states that significant physical force was used to gain entry during the burglaries. The police department is encouraging area businesses to be extra vigilant with physical security, especially in their closing and opening procedures.

The police department is asking the public for their help in solving these crimes. If someone has information about these crimes, or observes suspicious activity, they are encouraged to contact the Richland Center Police Department at 647-2103 or Richland Area Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583). Callers to the Crime Stoppers line may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

A Dose of Reality for Our Community

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It’s not shocking anymore to hear about prescription painkillers and heroin abuse in Wisconsin communities. Law enforcement, elected officials, school officials, and the media – everyone is talking about the epidemic that is stealing futures and lives.

Chief Lucas Clements wants to inform the community that, on October 22, they can do something to help prevent this epidemic from spreading further. The Richland Center Police Department will be hosting a Drug Take Back Day, joining a national initiative to get all those unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of your medicine cabinet and safely destroyed.

70% of people who are addicted to prescription opioids got their first pills not from a street dealer, but improperly from a family member or friend. To help keep our community safe, please take advantage of this free service provided on the upcoming Drug Take Back Day.

Drug overdoses kill more people than car accidents in Wisconsin, and the largest number of those deaths aren’t caused by “hard street drugs.” In fact, prescription narcotic painkillers contribute to more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined. With more than 163,000 Wisconsinites addicted to prescription opioids, we all have a role in preventing that number from increasing.

On Saturday, October 22, go to the Richland Center Police Department between 10 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to stop this epidemic from taking an even bigger hold on our community and state. Here’s what you can bring:

Do Bring: Prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials, and pet medications.

Do Not Bring: Illegal drugs, needles/sharps, acids, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, and sunscreens), household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, and gas), and mercury thermometers.

  • Participants may dispose of solid, non-liquid medication(s) by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into a disposal box or into a clear sealable plastic bag. Plastic pill containers should not be collected. Blister packages without the medications being removed are acceptable.

 

  • Liquids will be accepted during this initiative. However, the liquids, creams, and sprays must be in their original packaging. Liquids without the original packaging will not be accepted.
  • Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers.

Chief Clements states that every citizen in our community and across this state can play a role in solving this epidemic: use prescriptions only as prescribed to you, store prescriptions securely, properly dispose of unused prescriptions, and help spread the important message about safe prescription use. Please go to http://www.doseofrealitywi.gov/ to learn more about how we can make our community safer and healthier.

Richland Center Man Arrested for Drug Delivery Charges

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Harrison E. Schwichtenberg

Harrison E. Schwichtenberg

Chief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department reports that a Richland Center man has been arrested for a drug delivery charge as a result of an investigation into a near fatal overdose that occurred at a residence in Richland Center late last week.

Harrison E. Schwichtenberg, 25, of Richland Center has been arrested and tentatively charged with Delivery of a Schedule IV drug, a Class H Felony.

Chief Clements stated the investigation, which was conducted by officers from the Richland Center Police Department and the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force, discovered that the victim had purchased the prescription pills from Schwichtenberg, which ultimately led to the near fatal overdose.

Chief Clements commented that, not only is this case a prime example of the dangers associated with illegal prescription pill distribution and abuse, it is also an example of local law enforcement’s dedication to investigate these cases to the fullest extent.  Chief Clements added that, because of the danger it presents to the community, combating illegal prescription pill diversion has been, and will continue to be, a priority of the Richland Center Police Department and Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force.

At the time of Schwichtenberg’s arrest he was out on bond for a previous arrest for manufacture/delivery of non-narcotics and possession of a controlled substance. As a result, Schwichtenberg may also potentially be facing various bail jumping charges.  This case has been referred to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges to be filed.

Chief Clements advised that citizen assistance is paramount in combating the distribution of drugs within our community.  Anyone witnessing suspected drug activity in the city is encouraged to contact the Richland Center Police Department at 608-647-2103 or Richland County Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583), where callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

Prescription Drug Take Back Day

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The Richland Center Police Department will host Prescription Drug Take Back Day
April 30th From 10:00am – 2:00pm

The Richland Center Police Department, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will again be participating in a Prescription Drug Take-Back initiative. The event will take place on Saturday, April 30th from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Richland Center Police Department located at 470 S. Main St. in Richland Center.

This effort will continue to bring an increased focus on the issue of prescription opiate abuse. The goal of the Take-Back Day is to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the community about the potential for abuse and consequences of improper storage and disposal of these medications.

“Proper drug disposal is one way to substantially reduce the abuse of prescription narcotic painkillers,” Chief Lucas Clements said. “Storing potentially dangerous drugs in a secure location and disposing of them promptly after use will reduce the availability to people improperly using these substances.”

Unused or expired medicine should never be flushed or poured down the drain. Water reclamation facilities are not designed to remove all of them and trace amounts of pharmaceuticals are showing up in rivers and lakes around the world.

Guidelines:

All waste pharmaceuticals must be generated by a household – no businesses are allowed.

Bring: Prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials and pet medications.

Do Not Bring: Illegal drugs, needles/sharps, inhalers, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, and sunscreens), household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, and gas), mercury thermometers.

  • Participants may dispose of solid, non-liquid medication(s) by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into a disposal box or into a clear sealable plastic bag. Plastic pill containers should not be collected. Blister packages are acceptable without the medications being removed.
  • Liquids will be accepted during this initiative. However, the liquids, creams and sprays must be in their original packaging and evenly distributed within the boxes of collected solid prescription medications. Liquids without the original packaging will not be accepted.
  • Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers.

Chief Clements added that over the past five years, local efforts utilizing this free service have collected approximately 400 pounds of prescription drugs for disposal from our community. Chief Clements states he has been impressed with past collection results and encourages citizens to keep taking advantage of the service. This service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

Arrest Warrants Result in Numerous Felony Drug Crimes

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Chief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department reports that on January 27th, members of the Richland County Special Response Team along with local members of the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force conducted an arrest warrant operation in the City of Richland Center. As a result of that operation, two Richland Center residents were arrested for numerous felony drug crimes. The operation was the culmination of a drug investigation by local members of the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force.

Stephen J. Szuflita, 40, was arrested and tentatively charged for Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place (4 counts), Manufacture/Deliver Schedule II Drugs, Manufacture/Deliver Schedule IV Drugs (2 counts), Manufacture/Deliver THC (3 counts), Possession of THC, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Bail Jumping.

Regina M. Heather, 42, was arrested and tentatively charged for Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place (3 counts), Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

All charges have been forwarded to Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper for prosecution.

The Richland County Special Response Team is a combined tactical unit consisting of officers from the Richland Center Police Department and deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Also assisting with the investigation were Richland County Health and Human Services and Richland County EMS.

Chief Clements would like to point out the effort of the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force members in regards to this investigation. Chief Clements notes the results of this investigation show the reality of what law enforcement faces daily, whether on patrol or working a drug investigation, specifically polydrug use and abuse.

Polydrug use is the use of two or more drugs in combination with one another. Polydrug use has led to increasing health concerns including potentially fatal overdoses. The arrests in this investigation take this “one stop shop” for drug users out of the equation in our community.

Chief Clements along with Richland County Sheriff James J. Bindl would like to remind citizens to report any suspicious activity by notifying law enforcement. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Richland Area Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583) and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Richland Center Police Department