RIVER FALLS Police Department Reports

The following incidents were reported to River Falls Police Department Sept. 19-27.

Correction

Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash at 3:35 p.m. Sept. 10 at Cascade Avenue and South Wasson Lane between a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by Jacob Harlan Landgraf, 18, River Falls, and a 2006 Toyota Corolla, driven by Briana Jo Petersen, 23, River Falls. Landgraf was stopped at the stop sign on Wasson Lane at Cascade facing southbound, behind another vehicle. Petersen was stopped at the stop sign on Wasson Lane at Cascade, facing northbound and indicating a left-hand turn. After the third vehicle went south through the intersection, Petersen began to turn left and Landgraf also proceeded into the intersection and they collided, resulting in disabling front-end damage on both vehicles. Both drivers wore seat belts and reported no injuries. Landgraf was not cited, as previously reported.

Sunday, Sept. 19

At 2:31 a.m., officers responded to 128 Emory Drive, where a complainant reported unwanted people in the home. The complainant said her roommate had invited two men over, who were acting weird and she suspected were on drugs. The men said they would and leave and Brianna Jade Lindquist, 22, River Falls, was arrested for violating bond conditions of absolute sobriety on three felony court cases. She was taken to Pierce County Jail without incident.

Officers responded at 9:46 a.m. to a two-vehicle crash at Main and Walnut streets between a 2018 Ford Edge, driven by Monica All Elliot, 61, River Falls, and a 2010 Chrysler Sebring, driven by Katie Lynn Jerrett, 18, Gratiot. Elliot said she was stopped in traffic on Walnut facing west toward Main Street when Jerrett backed out of a parking space and struck her vehicle. Both drivers wore seat belts and reported no injuries; both vehicles had minor damage.

At 1:08 p.m., a resident residing at 1758 Kimberly Circle reported two teenage males caught on camera coming up on their back porch at 3 a.m. Nothing appeared to be taken; however, a neighbor at 1881 Kimberly Circle had reported at 9:15 a.m. the theft of three yard signs: A BLM sign, a multicolor Pride sign and two “Hate Has No Home Here” signs. The neighbor was informed of the video footage caught by the neighbor. The suspects have not been identified.

At 12:02 p.m., police reported to 715 S. Main St. for a domestic not-in-progress where a man had allegedly thrown a microwave and vacuum when returning belongings. Officers forwarded domestic disorderly conduct and criminal trespass to dwelling charges to the district attorney for review after interviewing both parties.

At 2:14 p.m., officers responded to the walking path behind Family Fresh (303 S. Main St.) where a man was reportedly sleeping beside the path. His pillow was three Four Loko cans in a plastic bag; he smelled of alcohol. He was annoyed the officer woke him up and saw no problem with his napping spot. He admitted to drinking three beers; since he had violated the absolute sobriety term of his bond, a bail jumping charge will be referred to the Pierce County District Attorney.

Monday, Sept. 20

Officers responded at 12:08 p.m. to a vehicle vs. school bus crash at East Maple and North Third streets between a 2013 Ford Escape, driven by Renee April Brooks, 22, River Falls, and a River Falls School District bus, operated by Kory Allen Pechacek, 32, River Falls. Brooks was heading northbound on North Third; when she approached a yield sign at the Maple Street intersection, she did not see the bus and proceeded into the intersection, where she struck the bus, which was heading westbound on Maple Street. Both drivers wore seat belts and reported no injuries. The bus had minor damage, while Brooks’ vehicle had to be towed due to disabling damage. Brooks was cited $98.80 for fail/yield at yield sign.

At 2:37 p.m., an officer witnessed a pickup at North Main Street/Highway 35 with a cracked windshield and expired registration head toward the Park & Ride. The driver, Jayne Monique Buckley, 41, River Falls, who had an active arrest warrant. A red SUV pulled up next to Buckley; when they saw the officer approach, they both took off at a high speed. Buckley turned onto Main Street, then on Highway 35 North. The other driver, a known drug user, went straight and continued onto the frontage road. The officer pursued and caught up to Buckley and pulled her over. The officer could smell a marijuana odor in the truck. A male passenger complied with officers’ request to show them items from inside the truck. Many items were seized for examination for possible relation to local burglaries. Buckley was arrested and taken to St. Croix County Jail.

At 5:50 p.m., officers responded to 906 State St. for a theft. The complainant reported her purse and a black Cannon T7 camera had been taken from the unlocked vehicle sometime between midnight and 5 a.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 21

Officers responded at 9:30 a.m. to a two-vehicle crash on East Walnut Street between a 2021 Honda Ridgeline, driven by Paul Adam Strouf, 45, River Falls, and a 2016 Honda Accord, driven by Margaret Ann Ruschmeyer, 62, River Falls. Both drivers were backing out of their respective parking stalls when they collided, causing minor damage to both vehicles. Neither driver reported injuries.

At 11 a.m., officers received a theft report from 623 Oak Knoll Ave. An older, red Trek bike with a blue Kangaroo child trailer attached was taken sometime in the past week. It had been parked in front of the house near the steps.

At 3:15 p.m., a domestic incident was reported that had occurred at 11 a.m.at 531 High Ridge Road. A person reportedly threw multiple items in the yard, such as a box of decorations, a table, a chair and a Cricut machine. The decorations and Cricut were damaged. Someone was also knocked to the ground. No one wanted to press charges; the two parties’ accounts differed. The incident was reported for documentation purposes.

Wednesday, Sept. 22 Manuel Ignacio Contento Lapo, 33, River Falls, was arrested for OWI-second after a traffic stop at 1:28 a.m. An officer on patrol encountered a sedan parked partially off the roadway facing west on East Cascade Avenue near South Wasson Lane. Two occupants were passed out in the vehicle with the vehicle running and head lights on. The officer found many full Corona bottles in the back seat. When the officer opened the passenger door, the dome light came on and neither occupant awoke. After some effort, police were able to wake them up. The vehicle smelled heavily of alcohol. With the help of a translator, the officer conducted field sobriety tests on the driver, Contento Lapo, who eventually stopped the tests and said he was too drunk to do them. Police handcuffed him and took him to Pierce County Jail. EMS transported the passenger to River Falls Area Hospital.

At 9 a.m., police responded to 1336 Oak St. for a vandalism complaint. A Habitat for Humanity representative told police the organization’s trailer had been damaged while parked at that location sometime between 5 p.m. Sept. 21 and 7 a.m. Sept. 22.

At 3:48 a.m., a resident reported a theft from W10296 897th Ave. Sometime between 2-4 a.m. that morning, someone had taken $675 cash from his house. The cash had been in his jeans’ front pocket, which were on the floor. During the night he heard his dogs bark a little, but never saw anyone in the house. When he awoke, the home’s door was locked but not latched. A suspect was identified.

At 4:45 p.m., a complainant reported a theft from 319 S. Main St. (Fairview Clinic). The caller said he and his wife were at the clinic and she went to get the car while he waited for her. She had her purse inside the clinic and when she left to get the car. When they were driving home, she noticed the purse was missing. The caller was unsure if someone took it or if it was misplaced.

Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash at 5:31 p.m. at Powell Avenue and St. Croix Street between a 2015 Ford Edge, driven by Marian Ellen Peterson, 77, Stockholm, and a 1999 Ford F250, driven by Benjamin Paul Borgardt, 29, Pickett. Peterson was exiting the Walgreens parking lot onto Powell Avenue to the east, while Borgardt was heading east on Powell Avenue approaching St. Croix Street. Borgardt saw Peterson pulling into his lane of traffic, but thought if he tried to stop, they’d collide so he accelerated. Peterson struck the right rear corner of Borgardt’s truck. She said the sun had blinded her and that she didn’t see him coming. Both drivers wore seat belts and reported no injuries. Both vehicles had minor damage.

At 8:48 p.m., a caller reported a flag and flag pole had been stolen from 203 N. Dallas St. The flag was a Pride flag with multi-colored lines and a black fist in the middle. The flag pole was black and 5-to-6 feet tall. The estimated value of both items was $30. The caller said this is the second time a flag and flag pole were taken from his house. The first time, four boys admitted to taking the items, apologized, but never returned them. The resident, however, did get them back earlier when they were returned by police.

Thursday, Sept. 23

Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash at 12:15 p.m. in the Kwik Trip parking lot (1238 N. Main St.) between a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Sheri Lynn Cain, 65, Hudson, and a 2015 Ford F250, driven by Jeffry Jay Crooke, 59, Beldenville. Cain was heading eastbound in the parking lot when she collided with Crooke’s truck (owned by City of River Falls), that was backing out of a parking stall. Neither driver saw the other. Both drivers wore seat belts and reported no injuries. The truck had no damage, while Cain’s Malibu had minor damage.

At 12:54 p.m., police were called to 1482 Riverside Drive for theft of a catalytic converter. The theft occurred sometime during the night.

Friday, Sept. 24

At 4:37 p.m., police responded to a two-vehicle crash at 707 St. Croix St. between a 2015 Convention Frht semi/tractor-trailer, driven by Travis John Nicolai, 43, Eau Claire, and a legally parked 2000 Dodge Caravan, owned by Chef Leone LLC, River Falls. The semi was traveling northbound on St. Croix Street north of Summit Road when Nicolai attempted a left-turn into 707 St. Croix St. The trailer struck the Dodge’s rear-end, causing minor damage. Nicolai said he was distracted while talking with someone outside the vehicle. The semi had no damage and Nicolai reported no injuries.

At 4:33 p.m., officers received a failure to stop for school bus complaint from the River Falls Bus Garage. At 7:29 a.m. that day, a Kia Soul failed to stop for the bus, which had its stop arm extended and flashing, on Greenwood Valley near Raymond Avenue.

Anjelica Mae Kinney, 26, River Falls, was cited $250 for failure to stop for a school bus.

At 6:50 p.m., police were called to a crash at 3427 Kingsbarn Ave. A 2013 Toyota Tacoma, driven by Austin Allan Miller, 23, Circle Pines, Minn., was heading west through the parking lot. When he attempted to turn around next to the building, he struck Unit 7’s garage door. Miller said he hit the accelerator instead of the brake when turning around. He struck the garage door and wall adjacent, causing minor damage to his truck. He had no injuries.

Saturday, Sept. 25

At 1:32 a.m., an officer saw two people walking on the South Main Street bridge, one of whom was carrying a sign. The officer turned around and came back; one person was sitting on the bridge’s east side and the other was hiding behind a tree near the Kinni. The sign was gone and both people smelled like alcohol. They claimed to have no identification and provided the officer with false information. The officer handcuffed them and placed them in a squad. Dispatch identified them as Samuel Roan Collova, 18, Stillwater, Minn., and Tyson Larry Stene, 20, Stillwater, Minn. Both men took a PBT; Collova registered a 0.117 and Stene a 0.140. Both men were cited $187 for underage drinking – possession and $250 for resist or obstruct an officer. They apologized for providing false names. The officer gave them a courtesy ride to Kwik Trip, where they waited for a ride.

At 2:11 a.m., officers reported to Swede’s Service (428 S. Main St.) for a possible burglary. A caller reported someone had broken the glass at the gas station and he saw a person walking around the parking lot. When police arrived, they saw a man sitting inside an office in a chair, along with shattered glass on the floor and a shattered window near the west entrance. Officers ordered the man out of the building and he complied. No one else was located inside. Police identified the suspect as Brady Richard Agrimson, 21, River Falls. He told police he was downtown River Falls celebrating his 21st birthday at the bars. He said the window was already busted out at Swede’s when he arrived and he thought the building was abandoned. He at first said he went through an open door, but later said he crawled through the broken window. He denied taking anything and said he was just looking around. He submitted to a blood alcohol test, which showed a .157 result. He was apologetic and appeared confused due to his intoxication level. Video surveillance showed Agrimson approach the window, peer inside, attempt to open the door, which is locked. He then tried to use his shoulder to break the window. When that didn’t work, he shattered the window with a 1-by-4-inch board. He looked inside for a while before reaching in and unlocked the door. Nothing was stolen; the door damage was estimated to be $1,000. Agrimson was arrested for criminal damage to property and entry into/onto building/construction site/room. He was booked and released to a sober roommate.

Grace Elizabeth Shamrock, 21, Greenleaf, struck a deer at 9:10 p.m. Highway 35 northbound, one-third east of Quarry Road, with a 2013 Nissan Rogue. The vehicle was towed due to disabling damage. Shamrock wore a seat belt and reported no injuries.

At 9:44 p.m. officers responded to Broz Bar (127 S. Main St.) for an ID card violation. When confronted at the bar, the suspect fled the bar. He was later identified as Travis Scott Cernohous, 18, Amery. Police contacted him and cited him $187 for ID card violation.

At 9:50 p.m., a caller reported a stolen firearm from 745 S. Wasson Lane. The all black Walther 9mm semi-automatic pistol was in a black, carbon fiber holster, valued at $625. The firearm was taken from an unlocked vehicle sometime in August.

Sunday, Sept. 26

At 2:20 a.m., an officer assisting at a traffic stop in the 100 block of South Second Street saw a vehicle heading south on North Second Street with a flat tire. It turned west onto East Elm Street and stopped in front of 125 E. Elm St. The driver exited the vehicle, checked the front tire, then continued west on Elm going toward Main Street. As officers attempted to catch up with the vehicle it turned onto East Maple Street, then failed to stop at the stop sign at East Maple and Second streets, speeding through the intersection. An officer followed, activated his lights and attempted to pull the vehicle over at South Third and East Elm streets. The vehicle didn’t stop and pulled into a driveway at 112 S. Third St. The driver was identified as Caleb William Dockett, 23, River Falls and a passenger as Jacob Talan Dockett, 25. The driver said he’d had nothing to drink that night, but smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot, glassy eyes and slurred speech. After failing field sobriety tests, he asked the officer if he could just go home and denied driving. He was uncooperative as the officer placed him the squad, yelling “rape.” The officer saw moderate damage to the front driver’s side fender and quarter panel of Dockett’s vehicle. The driver’s side tire was flat and had a large hole in it. Police also found a beer behind the drier’s seat. While being transported to the station, Dockett vomited several times in the squad. Once at the station, he refused a breath test. After a blood test at the hospital, Dockett was cited for fail to stop at a stop sign, operating without a valid license and OWIsecond. The officer gave him a courtesy ride back to his residence.

At 1:53 a.m. officers observed a vehicle turn northbound onto North Second Street from East Walnut Street without stopping at the stop sign. The officer pulled the vehicle over and identified the driver as Josiah Jonathan Pease, 37, Baldwin. His speech was slurred and slow and an unopened Pabst Blue Ribbon was in the cup holder. He had bloodshot, glassy eyes and smelled of alcohol. He was cooperative during field sobriety tests and registered a PBT of 0.222. In the vehicle, officers found a suspected drug grinder and glass pipe, with THC residue in each. Pease was cited for OWI-third, failure to stop at a stop sign and possess drug paraphernalia. He was released to a sober friend after booking.

At 9:43 a.m. an officer found John Edward Stein, 59, River Falls, sleeping in a car at 262 Summit St. (River Falls Mini Storage). He had an active warrant for his arrest and a back of meth in the breast pocket of his jacket. He was arrested for the warrant, possession of methamphetamine, felony bail jumping and misdemeanor bail jumping. Officers responded at 12:10 p.m. to 929 Fairchild Drive for a missing mailbox. When officers arrived, they saw the mailbox at 939 Fairchild Drive was broken. The complainant said he noticed the missing mailbox when he returned home that afternoon. After the officer left, the complainant called back to report damage to the home’s west windows. Nine puncture marks were found in the window screen that looked like they’d been made by rocks being thrown. Two rocks were found between the screen and glass, along with several marks on the window. Officers found six to eight rocks in the grass near the window. The complainant’s wife said she heard a vehicle with a loud muffler leaving the neighborhood at 2 a.m. Officers interviewed the neighbor at 939 Fairchild Drive with the damaged mailbox. She also heard a vehicle with a loud muffler in the neighborhood around 2 a.m. Two possible suspects were identified.