Richland County Sheriff's Office

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

Methamphetamine Drug Arrests

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On 06-07-17, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle that was parked in the lane of traffic at the intersection of N. Orange St. and W. Seminary St. in the City of Richland Center. During the traffic stop, K9 Rambo was deployed for an exterior vehicle sniff and alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in numerous items of drug paraphernalia including multiple hypodermic needles, 2 digital scales, and a glass smoking device.   Deputies also located several small plastic baggies that contained methamphetamine, alcohol wipes, cotton balls, several empty plastic baggies with methamphetamine residue, and tin candle holders.  Both suspects were 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: 06-07-17         TIME of Incident:  04:55pm

WHO Involved:

Paige M. Bomkamp, DOB 02-28-1997, Richland Center
Kiefer J. Beran, DOB 01-31-1992, Richland Center

Agencies Involved:

Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Richland Center Police Department
Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force

WHERE Incident Happened: N. Orange St. & W. Seminary St., Richland Center

ARREST or CHARGES:

Bomkamp: 961.41(1m)(e)(2) – Possession of More Than 3 Grams of Methamphetamine, 961.573(1) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 961.41(1m) – Possession with the Intent to Deliver, Manufacture and Distribute Methamphetamine, 961.41(3g)(am) Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic.

Beran: 961.573(1)- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Probation Hold

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.

Traffic Stop leads to K9 Track and Felony OWI Arrest

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Richland County Dispatch received a report from a concerned motorist of a vehicle traveling westbound on State Hwy 56 near the village of Gillingham. Information was that the vehicle was driving recklessly and almost hit multiple vehicles head on. The vehicle eventually became stuck in a ditch near a private driveway just off of Hwy 56 by County Hwy H. Deputies arrived a short time later and the suspect ran from that location on foot. K9 Rambo was deployed and located Collins hiding from law enforcement in a grassy wood line nearby. Collins was taken into custody and transported to the Richland County Jail on multiple charges.

WHEN: 5/16/2017          TIME of Incident: 6:29 PM

ARRESTED: Kelly W. Collins, 48 of Richland Center, WI

ARREST or CHARGES: 946.41 Resisting or Obstructing Officer, 946.49(1)(b) Felony Bail Jumping, 346.63(1)(a) Operating while Intoxicated (5th Offense) (Felony), also cited for multiple traffic violations

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

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

Trespassing Complaint leads to K9 Track and OWI Arrest

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On October 11th, 2016, shortly before 9 pm, deputies were dispatched to a female subject trespassing in a large field just east of County Hwy O in Orion Township. When deputies arrived on scene, a vehicle was found abandoned in a private field approximately .8 miles from the roadway.  Next to the vehicle was a bottle of Vodka laying just outside the driver side door. Multiple commands were given over the squad’s loud speaker for the suspect to turn herself in. After no response from the suspect, K9 Rambo was deployed for a open area search/track in an attempt to find the individual. K9 Rambo led deputies through multiple fields and eventually located the female subject hiding in tall grass and weeds near a power pole. The suspect, who was later identified as Jennifer J. Storkson, 38 yrs old of Cazenovia, was taken into custody and charged with Operating Under the Influence of an Intoxicant 1st Offense. This charge is being forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Who Involved: Jennifer J. Storkson, 38 of Cazenovia

Charges: 346.63 (1)(a) Operating Under the Influence of Intoxicant, 1st Offense

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

– Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Person of Interest Named in Death Investigation

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Andrew WeedenCounty Sheriff James J. Bindl announced this morning the identity of a male subject who is a person of interest in the recent death investigation in Orion Township.

On Saturday February 20th, the Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call from a residence on Catherine Street in the town of Orion.  When deputies arrived they found the body of Rachael A. Pauls inside the residence.   Deputies were told a male subject had fled the scene. After a quick and successful search by Richland County K9 TITAN. Andrew T. Weeden, 29 years old, was taken into custody on a probation violation.

Weeden is being held in the Richland County Jail.  According to Sheriff Bindl, Andrew Weeden is being considered a person of interest at this time.  Sheriff Bindl wants to reassure residents there is no danger to the public.

The incident remains under investigation.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Death Investigation in Orion Township

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Officials of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a death in Orion Township in southern Richland County.  The Communications Center received a 911 call at approximately 2:44 pm Saturday reporting a subject who needed medical attention at 22004 Catherine St. in the Town of Orion.  When Emergency responders and Sheriff’s Deputies arrived at the scene, the body of a 32 year old female was located inside the residence.  The woman found dead as Rachael A. Pauls, 32, of Muscoda. It appeared the victim had suffered substantial trauma to her face. Deputies began a search for a male subject who had reportedly fled the scene.  Richland County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dane Kanable deployed K-9 TITAN who quickly and successfully tracked and located that male subject.  He was detained for questioning and subsequently booked into the Richland County Jail on a probation violation.   The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is working closely with the Richland County District Attorneys Office.  The incident remains under investigation.

Other Agencies assisting in the incident: Muscoda EMS, Muscoda Police Department, Richland County Coroners Office, Richland County District Attorneys Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Justice Mobile Crime Lab and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation

– Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Sheriff’s Department Selects New K9 Handler

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K9_CzysThe Richland County Sheriff’s Department has named their next K9 handler. The selection came through an internal promotion process where Deputy Mike Czys was awarded the position. A management panel that included the Sheriff, Chief Deputy, Lieutenant, and Sergeants made this decision.

Czys joined the Sheriff’s Department as a Jailer/Dispatcher in 2012 after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and graduating from The Law Enforcement Academy at Chippewa Valley Technical College. In 2014 Czys was promoted to Road Patrol and has had a lifelong interest in becoming a K9 Handler. Czys stated that his interest in becoming a K9 handler stems from a passion to combat the growing drug problem in the area and a desire to utilize the K9 to practice a community based policing model.

Community Based Policing is a term that refers to a type of policing where law enforcement and the community work together toward common goals. The Sheriff’s Department believes that public K9 demonstrations and appearances in area schools and businesses that show the K9’s abilities is a way to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the community. The public also has an important role in the success of the fight against drugs: reporting suspicious activity or any other information to Richland County Crime Stoppers, properly disposing of unused prescription medications, and educating youth on the dangers of drugs are all great ways for law enforcement and the community to come together to fight the problem at hand

The drug problem in Richland County and the surrounding areas is a growing concern, and the Sheriff’s Department believes that a K9 that is specially trained in the detection of narcotics is crucial to fight the problem. In recent years, there has been an increase in the availability and abuse of more illicit drugs including heroin, methamphetamine, and prescription pills. These substances coupled with marijuana, cocaine, and other drugs are becoming more potent and unpredictable as they are brought in from larger cities onto Richland County’s streets and highways, and eventually into our homes. Drugs are affecting the community by causing overdose deaths, and can also be linked to thefts, burglaries, and other property crimes. [Read more…]

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