THREE-WEEK PERIOD: June 17-July 7, 2024
On 06/17/2024 a deputy on patrol stopped a vehicle on USH 51 near CTH D in the Town of King for extremely high rate of speed. The driver, a 26-year-old Merrill man, was cited for traveling 109 mph in a 65 mph zone.
On 06/20/2024 a deputy on patrol observed a vehicle southbound on USH 51 near STH 64 (Mile Marker 208) in the Town of Pine River traveling at a high rate of speed. The deputy had the vehicle on radar at 126 mph. When the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle, a 25-year-old Land ‘O Lakes man, failed to stop for the deputy, causing the deputy to initiate a pursuit on the vehicle. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LISO) notified the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office of the approaching chase and they sent units to assist. The chase continued southbound on USH 51 in Marathon County for several miles. As the chase was approaching the City of Mosinee, Marathon County units were able to successfully deploy a tire deflation device, disabling the suspect vehicle, but the suspect continued to flee. Portage County was advised of the approaching chase; however, the vehicle was stopped south of the City of Mosinee on USH 51 (Mile Marker 174) by deputies with the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office. During the arrest, a taser was deployed in the apprehension of the driver. The driver was checked out by EMS and turned over to deputies with LISO. The suspect was booked on multiple charges and had court where he was held on a $500 cash bond; that bond has since been posted. No law enforcement officers were injured in the crash and no police vehicles were damaged. The driver was identified as Benjamin Dorn.
On 06/20/2024, dispatch was advised of a two-vehicle crash with injury on USH 8 near CTH L in the Town of Bradley. A vehicle being operated by a 16-year-old boy from Hazelhurst was traveling eastbound on USH 8 when he attempted to turn northbound on CTH L. A second vehicle being operated by a 47-year-old Tomahawk man was traveling westbound on USH 8 approaching the same intersection. The driver of the eastbound vehicle turned into the path of the westbound vehicle and was subsequently struck. Off-duty EMS personnel attended to the injured parties until the arrival of law enforcement and ambulances from Tomahawk. The driver of the westbound vehicle was showing signs of impairment and refused to cooperate with the investigating deputy. He was subsequently arrested for 3rd offense OWI. He was later transported to the Lincoln County Jail. LISO was assisted by the Tomahawk Police Department and Tomahawk Fire and Ambulance.
On 06/21/2024 deputies responded to a reported vehicle crash with injuries on STH 17 north of Gleason in the Town of Russell. A 65-year-old man from Pelican Lake reported that he was traveling southbound on STH 17 when he lost control of his vehicle. In an attempt to regain control, he over corrected and collided with a guard rail. The driver received a head injury as a result of the crash and he was transported by ground ambulance to Aspirus Merrill Hospital. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
On 06/22/2024 the sheriff’s office received a call of a reckless driver traveling eastbound on USH 8 near Muskellunge Lake Rd. in the Town of Bradley. It was reported that the suspect vehicle was weaving in the road. The reporting party continued to follow the vehicle and a short time later reported that the vehicle had turned southbound onto USH 51 from USH 8. A short time after that, a deputy located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. In making contact with the driver, a 63-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man, the deputy noticed signs of impairment. The deputy then requested the driver perform standard field sobriety testss which the driver complied with. As a result of those tests, the driver was arrested for his 5th offense OWI. The diver was later transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was booked in.
On 06/23/2024 the sheriff’s office received a complaint of a disorderly conduct situation at an area motel in the Town of Merrill. The reporting party stated that the suspect, an 86-year-old Merrill man, threw a bottle of medication at the reporting party while she was in her vehicle. When the deputy questioned the reporting party, she reported that when the suspect threw the glass bottle at her, it struck her in the left arm and caused pain. There was an independent witness who corroborated the reported facts. As a result of the investigation, the male subject was arrested for battery and disorderly conduct.
On 06/24/2024 the sheriff’s office was contacted by Aspirus Merrill Hospital that they were placing the facility into lock down, as they had a female victim there who had injuries consistent with domestic violence and who reported she had been threatened with a gun by the male suspect. The investigation revealed that the incident happened at an address on Farmingdale Rd. in the Town of Corning. The victim, a 42-year-old Merrill woman, had injuries consistent with battery and strangulation. As the investigation continued, a deputy located the suspect, a 45-year-old Merrill man, in a vehicle and attempted to stop him. The suspect fled from the deputy, resulting in a short pursuit. The suspect fled into a farm field, and the deputy terminated the chase. After a short distance, the suspect’s vehicle got stuck and he was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect was eventually transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was booked in on multiple felony charges. During the period of lock down at Aspirus Merrill Hospital, the hospital was guarded by additional law enforcement officers for safety and security.
On 06/18/2024 the sheriff’s office handled a motor vehicle crash on CTH K at CTH Q in the Town of Scott. [A separate article was published on this incident and the subsequent death of the driver of the motorcycle.]
SAFETY CONCERN: On 06/23/2024 a deputy from the sheriff’s office responded to a complaint of a pedestrian walking on the roadway on CTH C near Elm Rd. in the Town of Merrill. It was further reported that the pedestrian was actually a small child. At the time of the call, the child was supposed to be in the care of their grandma and she had lost track of the child. The child was found almost a half mile away from where the grandmother lived. The sheriff’s office would just like to remind drivers to be aware and observant of possible changing road conditions and hazards. We would further like to remind everyone that, if watching small children, be sure to keep a close eye on them and keep them away from highways and roads. In this case, the child was returned to the grandmother unharmed; however, a report will be submitted to the district attorney for review and possible charges.
On 06/24/2024 deputies were dispatched to a reported disorderly conduct domestic at an address on Belle Rd. in the Town of Somo. It was reported that a 24-year-old male subject who lives at the Belle Rd. address was intoxicated and acting disorderly by yelling and screaming at his mother and step-father. The parents were reporting that he has a drinking problem and they wanted him to get help, which he refused. The male subject left the house prior to deputy’s arrival. It was also reported that the subject may be armed with a knife. After a short search, investigating deputies located and took the subject into custody; no weapons were found. During the process, the subject became increasingly uncooperative and resistive with deputies. He was eventually placed in a patrol car for transport to the Lincoln County Jail. While in transport, the subject was able to get free of his seatbelt, and move his handcuffs to the front of him. The subject then kicked out the rear windows of the squad car while it was in motion. The transporting deputy stopped and requested assistance to regain control of the subject. The subject continued to struggle with deputies until they used pepper spray to get the party back under control. The subject was then transported to the Lincoln County Jail. No injuries were reported as a result of this call; however, the patrol car received substantial damage to both rear doors. The man was booked into the Lincoln County Jail on several charges.
On 06/25/2024 at 1:20 a.m. the Lincoln County 911 center received a weather-related call of a cabin on Navajo Dr. in Tomahawk in the Town of Bradley that had been destroyed by trees falling on it during the severe weather. It was reported that one person from the cabin was injured and one was trapped inside the cabin. Emergency crews from Tomahawk Fire, Tomahawk Ambulance, and LISO responded to the area. Upon arrival, the first responders were not able to make access to the area due to all the trees being down. The Fire Department began cutting a path through the downed trees to gain access to the victim. In the ensuing search for the victim and his family, the first responders discovered that five or six structures had been damaged with varying degrees of damage, and about a five-acre patch of land had significant tree damage and evidence that suggested there may have been rotation. Deputies, along with Tomahawk Fire and Ambulance, worked for several hours to clear a path to all cabins and to confirm there were no other injured persons. All information concerning the damaged structures and injured party were passed along to the National Weather Service for their review. No other persons were reported injured as a result of this storm. LISO was assisted by Tomahawk Fire and EMS, as well as Rod’s Wrecker and Wisconsin Public Service.
On 06/26/2024 the sheriff’s office took a complaint of a female party showing up at a house on Bay Mill Rd. in the Town of Bradley and advised the home owner that she had put her car in the lake. Deputies arrived and made contact with the female driver, a 38-year-old woman from Milwaukee. The deputy noticed signs of impairment and requested the female do some standard field sobriety testss. The driver refused to cooperate with the deputy and, as a result, she was arrested for a first offense of OWI. The vehicle was removed from the lake and the driver was turned over to corrections staff at the Lincoln County Jail. No injuries were reported.
On 06/29/2024 deputies were sent to the area of CTH X and County Line Rd. in the Town of Pine River for a reported crash with injuries. It was reported to be a motorcycle crash with a party possibly having a broken leg. The deputy found that the driver of the motorcycle, a 25-year-old male from Waupaca, was traveling northwest on CTH X just north of County Line Rd. when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed. The driver was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and was the only injured person.
On 06/29/2024 a deputy on patrol stopped a vehicle in the N2200 block of CTH JJ for an equipment violation. In making contact with the driver, a 35-year-old man from Stevens Point, he falsely identified himself as his brother. It was later learned, after the original stop, that the driver had provided false information and that there was a warrant for his arrest. Deputies remained in the area until they were able to relocate the subject and took him into custody for the warrant. He was also arrested on a fresh charge of obstructing an officer. He was then transported to the Lincoln County Jail.
On 06/30/2024 the sheriff’s office received a call of a crash on Stevenson Rd. in the Town of Skanawan. The reporting party advised he had made contact with the driver and he thought the driver was intoxicated. When deputies arrived on scene, they found the vehicle abandoned. A short time later they found the male party, a 55-year-old male from Machesney Park, Ill., laying in the ditch. In talking with the driver, the deputy noticed signs of impairment and, as a result, asked the driver to perform some standard field sobriety tests. The driver refused to cooperate with the deputy and, as such, was arrested for a first offense of OWI. The driver was later released to a responsible party. No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.
On 07/3/2024 deputies were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle crash with injuries on USH 51 north of CTH V in the Town of Birch. It was reported to the sheriff’s office that a vehicle had left the road and was in a field. Deputies arrived and made contact with the driver, a 63-year-old man from Irma. The driver stated he thought he had fallen asleep while he was driving and left the roadway. The driver was reporting back pain and scratches as a result of the crash.
On 07/4/2024 a deputy on patrol stopped to check on a vehicle that was stopped along the side of the road with its hazard lights on. The contact took place on CTH Q and CTH Z in the Town of Scott. The deputy made contact with the driver, an 18-year-old man from Rothschild, to inquire about the problem. As the deputy made contact, they observed an odor of intoxicants. As a result, the deputy asked the driver to perform some sobriety tests. As a result of those tests and the driver’s age being below 21, the driver was arrested for a violation of absolute sobriety. The driver was also arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
On 07/6/2024 deputies were sent to investigate a complaint of interference with child custody. The reporting party, a 47-year-old man from Kansasville, Wis., was reporting that the mother of his child, a 45-year-old woman from Tomahawk, was in violation of a court order in regards to child visitation. The female and her current husband, a 46-year-old man from Tomahawk, became angry and argumentative with the deputies. The deputy explained the court order to the female and that she failed to meet the reporting party at the scheduled time to exchange their child. The deputies who investigated the complaint spoke with the mother about the court order. The mother eventually acknowledged the court order and admitted to attempting to change the exchange date. She also admitted to not meeting the reporting party at the location that was ordered by the court. The female also had signed the court order when it was issued. As a result, the female was arrested for interference with child custody.
During this three-week period, deputies conducted 148 traffic stops and 61 security checks. They also responded to 43 driving complaints and 33 car vs. deer crashes, 1 car vs. raccoon crash, 1 car vs. turkey crash, 1 car vs. unknown animal crash, and 3 car vs. bear crashes. The 911 Dispatch Center also took 20 hang-up calls and 25 nuisance calls.
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