The following incidents were reported to River Falls Police Department Feb. 4-17.

Tuesday, Feb. 4

• Officers were dispatched at 4:07 p.m. to Kwik Trip (1238 N. Main St.) for a possible drunk driver who hit a tree. A 2018 Chevy Silverado, driven by Tyler Carter Wilson, 57, Roberts, turned into the first Kwik Trip entrance, continued straight and struck a tree. Wilson, who was the confirmed driver via video surveillance, backed the truck up, continued into the parking lot, parked the truck and entered the store. When police arrived and questioned him, he denied driving and said the truck wasn’t his. He was argumentative and resisted arrest. He also refused to do field sobriety tests or submit to a Breathalyzer. He asked why he was being arrested for just being in a grocery store. At the police station, Wilson remained uncooperative and refused to call anyone to pick him up. While heading to a squad, he shoved an officer into a wall and fought getting into the vehicle. He was taken to St. Croix County Jail.
• Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at 5:14 p.m. at Main and Charlotte streets between a 2024 Hyundai Palisade, driven by Christopher Warren Pizzi, 38, Hammond, and a 2005 Chevy Malibu, driven by Steven John Bailey, 53, River Falls. Pizzi was slowing for traffic at the red light (at Foster Street) when Bailey rear-ended him. The Hyundai had minor damage, while the Chevy was towed due to disabling damage. Pizzi and passengers Elizabeth Ann Pizzi, 36, Hammond, and a 6-year-old juvenile reported possible injuries, but were not transported. Bailey reported no injuries. Bailey was cited $111.40 for inattentive driving.
• Officers were called at 9:36 p.m. to 215 Foster St. #4 for a theft. A woman reported her friend had taken her purse, car keys, wallet, Social Security card, Apple air pods and makeup while she was sleeping. Police made multiple attempts to reach the suspect, who either didn’t answer her door or phone. At 11:58 a.m. Feb. 5, the victim reported her property had turned up back at her house, where it was left at her door. She decided not to press charges.

Wednesday, Feb. 5

At 1:30 p.m., a 14-year-old juvenile told the school resource officer in the hallway that they may have taken medication they weren’t supposed to take. She told the officer a 15-year-old had told them to kill themselves and they were sick of everything and wanted to end it. The student admitted to taking Tylenol, but wouldn’t disclose how much. Their mother took them to the hospital.

Thursday, Feb. 6

• A 17-year-old River Falls juvenile was cited $73.60 for possessing tobacco or nicotine at 9:12 a.m. at River Falls High School. The student told staff they had locked their keys in their car, went outside and returned 10 minutes later. Video footage showed the student getting into another student’s car. They went to Kwik Trip and returned, at which point the student hid something in their shirt and went inside. Staff later confiscated a vape from the student.
• At 10:41 a.m., the River Falls Housing Authority notified police of seven disturbing emails they had received from a former tenant who had lived at 625 N. Main St. He told them someone had tried to assassinate him on government in Hudson and that he informed Homeland Security, the FBI and Mossad in Israel. RFHA wanted him trespassed from their properties, since they didn’t feel safe having him come pick up belongings he’d left behind after he told them he was “armed to the teeth.” Police learned he’d been a patient at Amery Behavioral Health and was currently living with a friend not in River Falls. The trespass notice was served to the man’s attorney.
• Police were dispatched at 9:12 p.m. to Kwik Trip (1536 Cemetery Road) for a suspicious person complaint. Grace L. Juhl, 18, River Falls, appeared to be under the influence of something and had dropped a smoothie on the floor. In her purse police found marijuana and Alprazolam. At the hospital, police learned she was under the influence of fentanyl, “Molly,” Xanax and marijuana. While being transported to St. Croix County Jail, she kept banging her head on the metal cage and removed her seat belt. She was turned over to jail staff without incident.
• Officers were called at 10:20 p.m. to Kwik Trip (1238 N. Main St.) where an employee had admitted to stealing. Video surveillance confirmed John Ralph Bondgien, 29, River Falls, had been stealing and consuming THC drinks while on shift, totaling $43.18. Police arrested and cited him $187 for retail theft – intentionally take.

Friday, Feb. 7

• Police responded at 1:03 p.m. to a two-vehicle crash in the parking lot of 703 N. Main St. B between a 2022 Ford Bronco, driven by Susan Gay Lorenz, 58, River Falls, and a 2020 Nissan Altima, driven by Aliyah Ryann-Faith Albrecht, 22, Fort Worth, Texas. Lorenz was parked in a parking space and Albrecht stopped in the travel lane to wait for another vehicle to leave their parking stall. Lorenz didn’t see Albrecht stopped behind her and backed into her. The Bronco had minor damage, while the Altima had functional damage. Neither driver nor Albrecht’s passengers Aidan G. Torres, 23, Hingham, Maine, and Ian M. Carpenter, 23, Mount Prospect, Ill., reported injuries.
• Jessica Marie Jenkins, 42, River Falls, was arrested and cited $986 for OWI after a traffic stop for an out headlight at 10:39 p.m. at Bartosh Lane and High Ridge Road. Jenkins smelled of alcohol and had an empty alcohol beverage in the center cup holder. The backseat was filled with boxes of alcohol beverages. After performing field sobriety tests and registering a .087 BAC at the scene, Jenkins was arrested and booked at the station, then released to her father.

Saturday, Feb. 8

• Police were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash at 9:38 a.m. in front of 708 N. Main St. between a 2016 Buick Encore, driven by Madison Inez Lavergne, 21, Warroad, Minn., and a 2024 GMC Sierra, driven by Curtis Edward Ruschmeyer, 69, River Falls. Ruschmeyer was traveling north on Main Street and Lavergne was trying to exit the parking lot at 708 N. Main St. when he slid on the icy pavement and struck Ruschmeyer’s GMC. Both vehicles had functional damage. No injuries were reported.
• Officers responded at 7:59 a.m. to 405 S. Wasson Lane for a person sleeping under the stairs of an apartment building. He was gone when police arrived, but officers found Demetrius Lamont Nolen, 25, River Falls, later in the day underneath the stairs at 513 S. Wasson Lane charging his cell phone. Police arrested him for two warrant and transported him to Pierce County Jail. They disposed of a container of marijuana found in his jacket.
• Police were dispatched at 8:50 p.m. to a home in the 3000 block of Derby Street for an out-of-control juvenile. Her father had taken her phone from her after he found her Facetiming with a boy from another state and she became violent and began throwing things. The juvenile said they wanted to get married and had sent explicit photos to each other. She was so upset that her parents want to keep them apart that she vomited. Officers confirmed the juvenile’s identity and told the parents to reset their daughter’s phone to the factory settings.

Sunday, Feb. 9

• Angel Doroteo Jauregui, 21, Fish Creek, was arrested and cited $986 for OWI and $986 for operating with PAC after a traffic stop for operating without headlights and taillights at 12:49 a.m. at State Street and Cascade Avenue. Jauregui told police he was giving people a ride home from the bar and hadn’t consumed alcohol, but he smelled of it and had red, bloodshot eyes. After field sobriety tests and registering a .10 BAC, he was arrested and taken to RFPD for booking.
• Officers were dispatched at 8:53 p.m. to a home in the 200 block of West Johnson Street for an out-of-control juvenile who was throwing things because he didn’t want to go to bed. He ripped his bedroom door off its hinges and bit his father, who was frustrated that social workers kept him in the home when he didn’t feel safe. The child eventually agreed to go to bed.

Monday, Feb. 10

• Officers responded at 7:08 a.m. to 1200 S. Main St. for a two-vehicle crash between a 2003 Chevy Silverado, driven by Lidio Olivarez Gutierrez, 48, River Falls, and a 2019 Honda Odyssey, driven by Sarah Ann Westman, 33, River Falls. Gutierrez was parked at the gas pumps while Westman was driving through the pump area to park near the building. Gutierrez’s passenger Ruben Gutierrez Godinez, 28, Loc Xoxonoxtle, Mexico, opened the truck door and Westman struck it. Gutierrez’s vehicle had functional damage, while the Odyssey was towed due to disabling damage. No injuries were reported.
• A 15-year-old River Falls juvenile was cited $73.60 for possessing a tobacco vape at River Falls High School (818 Cemetery Road).
• Police found a maroon Raleigh M50 mountain bike at 8:37 p.m. in the alley behind Mariachi Loco (456 W. Spruce St.) It was rusted and had two flat tires. Officers took it to the power plant bike storage area.

Tuesday, Feb. 11

Police arrested Rodney Deshan Ellis, 30, River Falls, for a felony Minnesota warrant during a traffic stop at 2:23 p.m. near Highway 35 and Main Street. Ellis is a sexual offender who is not supposed to be around children. His wife and two juveniles were in the vehicle with him.

Wednesday, Feb. 12

• Officers were notified of a three-vehicle crash at 3:01 p.m. that occurred at 2 p.m. at Cascade Avenue and Second Street between a 2021 Ram 1500 pulling a trailer, driven by Anthony Todd Johnson, 56, River Falls; a 2004 Toyota Camry, driven by Kate Keoni Garbow, 21, Andover, Minn.; and a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country, driven by Charles Edward Young II, 36, River Falls. Johnson stopped at the roundabout, with Garbow behind him. Young, who was behind Garbow, slid on the snowy road and rear-ended Garbow, pushing her vehicle into Johnson’s trailer. Garbow’s passenger, Peyton Lee Himley, 20, Coon Rapids, Minn., called police to report the crash after the fact. He told officers Garbow was starting to have some head and neck pain from the crash. Police tracked Young down at a local motel where he was staying; he admitted to giving the occupants of the other vehicle a phone number that no longer worked. He was arrested and cited $124 for operate motor vehicle without insurance and $250 for operating while revoked (alcohol related). The Ram had no damage, while the other two vehicles had minor damage.
• A 17-year-old River Falls juvenile was cited $600 for failure to stop for a school bus after a traffic incident at 3:09 p.m. at Cemetery and South Ridge roads.
• Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at 3:28 p.m. at Main and Vine streets between a 2008 Chevy Cobalt, driven by Dorian Brianne Balcerzak, 21, River Falls, and a 2023 Chevy Traverse, driven by Samantha Kate VanSomeren, 32, River Falls. VanSomeren was stopped on Main Street at Vine Street facing south waiting for a pedestrian to cross when Balcerzak rear-ended her. Balcerzak said she couldn’t stop in time due to the slippery conditions. Both vehicles had minor damage. No injuries were reported. Balcerzak was cited $136.60 for driving too fast for conditions.

Thursday, Feb. 13

• Paul Lewis Helton, 51, River Falls, was arrested for a warrant while sitting in a running vehicle at 2:08 a.m. at 1450 S. Wasson Lane #72. He was transported to St. Croix County Jail without incident.
• At 6:03 a.m., a 2025 Freight Tractor semi, driven by Timothy Jacob Haapala, 28, La Crosse, was backing up in the alley behind 112 N. Main St. to make a delivery at Steve’s Pizza when it struck an electrical cable, causing the post on top of the building to break. The truck had no damage.

Friday, Feb. 14

• Kevin Joseph Brown, 38, Hudson, was arrested for felony bail jumping, felony possession of methamphetamine, possess drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor bail jumping after a traffic stop for operating while revoked at 2:51 a.m. at Main Street and Paulson Road. He was also cited $124 for operate motor vehicle without insurance and $124 for operating while suspended. In the vehicle, officers found a baggie containing meth, four broken tubes containing meth residue, two Ziploc bags containing white powder, a bottle of Ole Smoky Moonshine, and a bottle of Bacardi. He was taken to St. Croix County Jail without incident.
• Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at 8:29 a.m. at Main Street and Quarry Road between a 2007 Dodge Dakota, driven by Brandon Lee Hascovec, 25, River Falls, and a 2012 Chevy Malibu, driven by Chyna Marie Evans, 24, Oakdale, Minn. Evans rear-ended Hascovec while both vehicle were heading northbound on Main Street when Hascovec slowed for traffic. Both vehicles had minor damage. No injuries were reported. Evans was cited $124 for automobile following too closely.
• Officers were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash at 5:07 p.m. at Cemetery Road and Main Street between a 2012 Ford Focus, driven by a 17-year-old River Falls juvenile, and a 2013 Subaru Outback, driven by Jeffrey David Cronk, 52, River Falls. Cronk was stopped at the stop sign waiting to turn right when the Ford rear-ended him. The Ford had functional damage while the Subaru had minor damage. No injuries were reported.
• At 7 p.m., a 2021 Ford Eco Sport, driven by Andrew J.B. Pratt, 40, River Falls, slid in the snow coming around a corner and crashed into a tree at 959 Falcon Drive. His eyes were bloodshot and glossy, his speech slurred, and he smelled of alcohol. Pratt claimed he was coming from the grocery store and hadn’t had a drop of alcohol. After performing field sobriety tests, he was taken to the hospital for a blood draw. Police noted had had three prior OWIs and a .02 alcohol restriction. Pratt was arrested and cited for OWI-fourth and $136.60 for failure to keep vehicle under control. The vehicle was towed due to disabling damage. Pratt reported no injuries.
• Leticia Schemmel, 25, River Falls, was arrested and cited $250 for operating while revoked (alcohol related) after a traffic stop at 10:56 p.m. at Main and Locust streets.

Sunday, Feb. 16

• Police were called at 3:20 a.m. to 121 W. Cascade Ave. #102 for an unresponsive female found in the bathroom with no signs of life. She was pronounced dead at the scene of natural causes.
• Officers were dispatched at 6:30 a.m. to a domestic at 1450 S. Wasson Lane #35. A woman said her husband woke her up, started yelling at her and threatened to take their children to South Dakota. She said when she tried to go into the children’s room, he pushed her down, scraping her arm. Brandon Cooper Backhaus, 44, River Falls, denied hurting the woman when he returned with the kids and said he’d just gone to get coffee. The children’s story matched their mother’s; Backhaus was arrested for domestic disorderly conduct and taken to Pierce County Jail.

Monday, Feb. 17

• Jeremy William Allington, 41, River Falls, was cited $98.80 for unsafe turn at intersection after a traffic stop at 8 a.m. at Highway 29 and Cemetery Road. Allington passed an off-duty police officer on the left while turning right onto Cemetery Road, while the officer was also turning left. The officer slowed down to avoid an accident and said Allington brake-checked him while he was trying to get close enough to read the license plate.

Police responded to a fraud complaint at 8:04 a.m. at Dunkin (1287 N. Main St.) An employee, without permission, had authorized a credit card rerun to a caller for $472.35 for 28 dozen donuts. The owner was trying to stop the refund since it was fraudulent.