RIVER FALLS Police Department Reports

The following incidents were reported to the River Falls Police Department March 21-28.

Monday, March 21

Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at 12:26 p.m. at Main and Locust streets between a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, driven by Paul Arthur Tjader, 56, River Falls, and a legally parked 2010 Honda Fit Sport, owned by Kristin Kia Benson, River Falls. Benson was legally parked on Main Street near Locust in a south-facing parking spot on the left side median. Tjader was heading south on Main and Street and said he had recently replaced his own tie-rods; it was the third time he had driven the vehicle since its repair. A tire buckled, causing the Trailblazer to swerve hard to the left and it struck Benson’s Honda. Both vehicles were towed due to disabling damage. Tjader wore a seat belt and reported no injuries. He was cited $98.80 for non-registration of auto and $124 for operating while suspended.

Officers were notified of a two-vehicle crash at 12:21 p.m. that had occurred at 6 a.m. at 1814 Morning Glory Drive between 2020 Dodge Ram 1500, driven by Travis Gross, 50, River Falls, and a legally parked 2021 Jeep Cherokee, owned by Kelly Ann Fishbach, Somerset. Gross was backing his vehicle out of his driveway in the dark and didn’t see Fishbach’s Jeep, which he hit. Gross left a note on Fishbach’s vehicle and also went to the residence later to report the crash. Gross’s truck had minor damage, while Fishbach’s Jeep had functional damage. Gross wore a seat belt and reported no injuries. He was warned to be more careful when backing up in the future.

Tuesday, March 22

Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at 10:12 a.m. on North Main Street at Paulson Road between a 2018 Subaru Forester, driven by Karen Marline Tiffany, 71, River Falls, and a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Judith Ann Schieffer, 71, Roberts. Both vehicles were heading south on Main Street. Tiffany suddenly stopped her vehicle and Schieffer, who pressed her brakes but skidded on the wet pavement, rearended her. Tiffany said she had slowed then stopped for yellow light changing red. The Subaru had minor damage, while the Malibu was towed due to disabling damage. Both drivers wore seat belts and reported no injuries. Schieffer was cited $124 for automobile following too closely. Police gave her a courtesy ride to Jerry’s Towing.

Officers responded to a hit-and-run crash scene at 5:20 p.m. in front of 102 S. Fourth St. An unknown vehicle had struck a traffic sign post and split it in half. Police found vehicle debris in the area, including a black bumper and part of light. A neighbor said she thought the crash had happened about a month ago, but there was no record of it.

Wednesday, March 23

Police responded to a one-vehicle crash at 7:48 a.m. on Highway 29 just south of Sunview Drive. A 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by Amber Joan Pauley, 27, River Falls, was traveling west on Highway 29 approaching 805th Avenue. The roads were slushy and Pauley lost control while trying to negotiate a curve, went into the north ditch and struck several trees and metal T-post. The vehicle was towed with functional damage. Pauley, who wore a seat belt, reported no injuries.

Officers were called to a two-vehicle crash at 2:48 p.m. in the parking lot of 1238 N. Main St. between a 2009 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Laura Beth Swanson, 38, New Richmond, and a 2008 Kia Optima, driven by Olivia Hope Hallberg, 22, Farmington, Minn. Swanson said she looked in her blind spot and didn’t see any vehicles, so she began backing up. She collided with the side of Hallberg’s vehicle, when Hallberg was pulling forward from the pumps. Both vehicles had minor damage. Both drivers and a passenger in Swanson’s vehicle, Shirley B. O’Connor, 94, River Falls, wore seat belts and reported no injuries.

At 10:50 p.m., police were called to River Falls Area Hospital for a dog bite report. The bite victim said she entered her apartment complex at 340 Broadway St. at the same as her neighbor, who had with her a male Labrador mix on a leash. She began to pet the dog when it bit her in the face. She had multiple cuts on her lower left cheek, which required stitches. The dog’s owner was issued a quarantine order.

Thursday, March 24

At 6:02 a.m., a 2011 Toyota Camry, driven by Gerald Andrew Giorgio, 65, Coon Rapids, Minn., struck a deer on the Highway 35 ramp heading south. The vehicle had functional damage. Giorgio wore a seat belt and reported no injuries.

At 3:31 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of South Third Street reported a threat/fraud complaint. A person he met on a dating profile was threatening to expose illicit photos of him to friends and family unless he paid them $1,000. He blocked several phone numbers from which he received threats. He provided police screen shots of the threats and the person’s profile information.

Police received a missing person/runaway complaint at 5:10 p.m. from 2860 Williams Ave. A student didn’t return home on the bus and the bus garage said the student never got on the bus. Police learned the juvenile had been with two other juveniles at Dairy Queen, but had left heading toward Dick’s Market. Police patrolled the area and couldn’t locate the juvenile, who eventually showed up at the police department after getting a ride from a stranger. The juvenile said she hadn’t planned on running away for long, she just wanted to go to Dairy Queen. Her social worker was contacted.

Officers were called at 5:14 p.m. to Kwik Trip (1200 S. Main St.) for two unwanted people who appeared intoxicated and were refusing to leave. When police arrived, the people, a man and a woman, had left to go to Dick’s Hometown Liquor across the street. When police made contact, the woman’s behavior went from calm to erratic, back and forth. She sat on the ground and started crying and yelling, then would stand up and pace around. She admitted to officers she had a knife in her pocket, which turned over to police. She also allowed police to search her bag, which contained a number of capped needles, Narcan containers, and a glass pipe with a burnt green leafy substance. Police seized the pipe and informed the pair they were trespassed from Kwik Trip and Dick’s. Police called a friend for them to pick them up, since they were from Eau Claire. The friend later called police back and said he couldn’t find the duo, but police never located them either.

Friday, March 25

At 1:02 p.m., a Renaissance Academy (262 E. Cascade Ave.) employee reported had left the school without permission. Police searched several places for the student, who eventually returned to the school.

Saturday, March 26

Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at 11:53 a.m. at the Cascade Avenue and Second Street roundabout between a 2013 Honda Civic, driven by Joselyn Lizbeth Morocho, 17, River Falls, and a 2015 Dodge Caravan, driven by Linda Lou Maday, 72, Baldwin. Morocho was traveling south on Second Street approaching the roundabout while Maday was in the roundabout heading west. Morocho admitted she failed to yield the right of way to Maday, didn’t look when she entered the roundabout, and struck Maday’s Caravan. Both vehicles had minor damage and both drivers wore seat belts and reported no injuries. Morocho was cited $124 for operate without valid license and $98.80 for fail to yield right-of-way in roundabout.

Officers were called to a vehicle vs. fence crash at 4:25 p.m. at Kwik Trip (1536 Cemetery Road). A 2020 Buick Encore, driven by Leo Anthony Karras, 90, River Falls, traveled west through the parking lot and struck a fence on the property’s western edge. Karras said he didn’t see the fence because of the sun and said there should be a sign that says “No thru traffic.” The fence separates the Kwik Trip parking lot from the adjacent apartment building parking lot. The vehicle had functional damage. Karras and passenger Marlys M. Karras, 84, River Falls, wore seat belts and reported no injuries.

Courtney Michelle Christiansen,

31, Bloomington, Minn., was cited $98.80 for possess open container (liquor or beer). Police saw Christiansen walking towards Veterans Park with an open can of beer. She was upset about being cited with such a “petty” offense.

At 9:19 p.m. police responded to 1473 Riverside Drive to perform a welfare check for a worried mother. The mother said her son’s father had sent her a photo with liquor bottles in it; according to a court order he is not supposed to drink when with his son. Police were not able to make contact.

Sunday, March 27

Police were called at 1:26 a.m. to Positive Alternatives (2860 Williams Ave.) where four juveniles had run away. They were picked up by someone in a truck. The truck arrived with its lights off and took off toward County Road M. Two juveniles returned by 3:07 a.m. and when police arrived, they found the other two outside walking toward the residence. None of the juveniles would give information about their whereabouts or who picked them up.

At 3:17 a.m., a caller from Florida requested a welfare check on a River Falls woman. The caller only had her phone number and didn’t know her address. The caller said the woman had told him she’d taken a bottle of pills. Police were able to determine the woman’s location at 513 S. Wasson Lane. After some run around from the apartment’s residents, Kelsey Marie Trimble, 22, River Falls, was arrested for a probation violation warrant and taken to Pierce County Jail.

Monday, March 28

At 9:10 a.m., police responded to Meyer Middle School (230 N. Ninth St.) to assist staff in interviewing a student who allegedly threatened to kill another student and the student’s family. The perpetrator said he didn’t mean it, but received a stern warning as to comments like that.

A Renaissance School (262 E. Cascade Ave.) student was cited $98.80 for truancy at 1:52 p.m.

Donald Darrol Vezina, 80, River Falls, was cited $250 for failure to stop for school bus. The incident happened at 4:10 p.m. March 25 at Cemetery and Emory drives.

At 6:43 p.m., an officer reported to a home in the 400 block of South Wasson Lane to perform a welfare check on children. The officer found garbage throughout the whole residence, trash on the floor, overflowing trash bins and unpleasant smells. Child Protective Services was notified.