The following incidents were reported to River Falls Police Department Jan. 16-Feb. 4.

Thursday, Jan. 16

A 17-year-old River Falls juvenile was cited $600 for failure to stop for a school bus after a traffic stop at 3:09 p.m. at Cemetery and South Ridge roads.

Saturday, Jan. 18

• Natalie Jean Ryan, 20, River Falls, was arrested and/or cited $187 for possession of THC, $187 for possess drug paraphernalia and $98.80 for non-registration of auto after a traffic stop at 9:06 a.m. at Main and Pomeroy streets for peeling registration stickers. Once pulled over, the officer smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle. The driver turned over a container of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
• Neal Arden Gruber, 37, River Falls, was arrested and cited $986 for OWI and $986 for operating with PAC after a traffic stop for swerving all over the road, taking a wide turn and almost hitting a curb at Peregrine Circle and Kennedy Street. Another driver following Gruber from Hudson called in the complaint. Police caught up to Gruber near his home. He was slow to react, had glossy eyes and slurred speech. Police transported him to the police station to perform field sobriety tests out of the frigid cold, where he also registered a .17 BAC.

Monday, Jan. 20

• At 7:04 p.m., James Robert Doman, 21, River Falls, reported his KelTec P-11 9mm handgun had been stolen from his unlocked vehicle sometime in the last week. After entering the serial number in the system, police learned a felon named Jason M. Rychtik had been arrested for a domestic incident in Taylor County with the firearm. Doman told police it might’ve been taken when he was at his parents’ house in Westboro; however, Rychtik described the man he bought the firearm from as someone who looked like Doman and drove the same type of car. Officers went to Doman’s home at 1063 E. Cascade Ave. and asked him about the gun. He admitted that he had sold it to Rychtik for $240, but reported it stolen when he learned Rychtik had been arrested with it. Police arrested Doman for resisting or obstructing an officer and took him to Pierce County Jail.
• Anita Guicell Sanmartin Coronel, 26, Hudson, was cited $200 for operate without valid license (second within three years) and $98.80 for speeding on city highway after a traffic stop at 9:42 p.m. at Main and Church streets. She was told to have a valid driver pick her up.

Tuesday, Jan. 21

• Police were dispatched at 7:11 a.m. to the 500 block of North Winter Street for a hit and run that occurred overnight. An unknown vehicle traveling south on Winter Street struck four legally parked vehicles, causing minor damage to a 2012 Chevy K1500, owned by Rodney D. Helders, River Falls; a 2007 Saturn Ion, owned by Peter James Wornson, River Falls; a 2014 Toyota Camry, owned by Andrew G. Bune, River Falls; and a 2016 Jeep Patriot, Andrew G. Bune, River Falls. The striking vehicle was not found.
• At 11:50 a.m., police and the St. Croix Valley Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 122 N. Third St. after receiving two anonymous tips that methamphetamine might be in the home. During a trash pickup the day prior, officers found syringes that tested positive for meth, which prompted them to apply for the search warrant. In the residence, police found and confiscated multiple drug paraphernalia items and smoking devices, digital scales, more than 30 grams of marijuana, and meth. One resident had been arrested on multiple drug charges by Pierce County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop in Ellsworth the previous day and was taken to Pierce County Jail. During the search warrant execution, resident William Michael Temme, 58, River Falls, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possess drug paraphernalia. A woman in the home, Brianna Marie Martinka, 28, Chatfield, Minn., was arrested for mistreat animals – intentional or negligent violation, possession of THC (second+ offense), possession of methamphetamine and possess drug paraphernalia. Both were transported to Pierce County Jail. Police also found a puppy, aged 4-6 months, that was extremely lethargic in the bedroom. Officers could hardly get the dog to wake up. They transported it to a veterinary hospital, where the doctor said it had a fever and suspected marijuana toxicity. The vet gave the dog antibiotics; it was given to Dedicated Animal Control Services for care.
• Police were dispatched at 1:55 p.m. to a home in the 900 block of Sycamore Street for a juvenile complaint. A 43-year-old woman hadn’t been seen by her 17-year-old daughter or 9-year-old grandson since before Christmas. A family friend had been staying with the kids and paying for things for them but had no idea when the mother/grandmother would be back and wanted to move out of the apartment. Police were able to reach the boys’ mother, who said she had no idea her mother had left the kids alone. She advised she would come pick up her son and bring him to Minnesota with her, where she was living. The suspect said she never asked anyone to take care of her daughter and that she’d been away “doing things.” Police forwarded abandonment of a child and neglecting a child charges to the district attorney’s office. The 17-year-old said she would soon turn 18 and asked for help buying food and laundry soap.

Wednesday, Jan. 22

• At 2:46 p.m., a caller reported property damage involving a FedEx truck at 1360 S. Main St. The truck had been traveling north on Main Street, realized it had passed its delivery address, pulled over quickly, backed up and struck the complainant’s mailbox. It then pulled forward, backed up again and struck the mailbox a second time. The driver didn’t leave a note or tell anyone about the crash. The complainant estimated the cost to repair the mailbox to be $200.
• Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at 3:21 p.m. at Wasson Lane and Wildcat Court between a 2015 Chrysler 200, driven by a 17-year-old River Falls juvenile, and a 2021 Tesla Y, driven by a 17-year-old River Falls juvenile. Both vehicles were traveling north on Wasson Lane; a school bus was directly in front of the Tesla. When the school bus started to slow and stop, the Tesla did as well. The driver of the Chrysler wasn’t able to stop in time and rear-ended the Tesla. Both vehicles had functional damage. No injuries were reported.
• Officers were dispatched at 7:57 p.m. to 405 S. Wasson Lane #201 for an out-of-control female refusing to leave. When officers arrived, they found three storage containers full of items outside the front door. A woman identified as Latoya Maureen Thomas, 40, Hastings, Minn., had been storing items at her sister’s apartment and became enraged when told she had to leave. Her sister and father both said they suspected she is on drugs and homeless. Thomas’ behavior was scaring her nephew, who had been hit by a hanger. Thomas refused to speak to officers and kept screaming throughout the contact. She was arrested for domestic disorderly conduct and transported to Pierce County Jail, where she failed the booking process.
• Police responded at 9:08 a.m. to a two-vehicle crash at Main Street and Paulson Road between a 2009 Toyota Highlander, driven by Laura Jean Koester, 65, River Falls, and an unknown SUV. Koester, who was heading south on Main Street, was stopped at the stoplight when they were rear-ended by an SUV. The striking vehicle drove around the Highlander, turned right and headed westbound on Paulson Drive, then westbound on Riverside Drive. Koester said she had a headache and neck pain but denied EMS. Passengers Sharyle K. Pick, 73, Pearl City, Ill., and Alexander Gloeckler, 77, Pearl City, Ill., reported no injuries. The vehicle had minor damage.

Thursday, Jan. 23

• Jeffrey Scott Ferris, 56, River Falls, was arrested and cited $98.80 for operator make illegal right turn on red and OWI-fifth/sixth after a traffic stop at 1:09 a.m. at Division and Main streets. Police noticed Ferris traveling about 11 mph on Division Street near Apollo Road, weaving over the fog line. He then make a right turn on red (where a sign prohibited it) at Main and Division streets. When officers pulled him over, he had red eyes, slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. He told police he had bought vodka earlier and was heading to get gas; he thought the time was shortly after 8 p.m. He refused to perform field sobriety tests and registered a .243 BAC. After he was arrested, he was transported to Pierce County Jail.
• Police were dispatched at 1:51 a.m. to 321 N. Second St. for a threat complaint. A man there said he’d been receiving threatening calls and text messages from unknown people. He believed his child’s mother was having others harass him leading up to a court date. She denied it when officers asked her about it. The complainant requested extra patrol.
• At 2:40 p.m., police were informed of a medication theft that had taken place at 513 S. Wasson Lane. A woman said someone had taken a bottle of Oxycodone from her purse. She didn’t want to provide suspects’ names.
• At 11:08 p.m., police noted white paint/graffiti on a stop sign at Hanson Drive and Division Street. There are no suspects.

Friday, Jan. 24

• Alexa Anastasia Raehsler, 23, River Falls, was arrested and cited $986 for operating with PAC and $986 for OWI after a traffic stop for operating without taillights at 1:53 a.m. at Main Street and Hamilton Drive. Raehsler said she’d been drinking with friends at Emma’s. She had glassy eyes, slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. After performing field sobriety tests and registering a BAC of .18. After booking, she was released to a sober family member.
• Paul Lewis Helton, 51, River Falls, was arrested and cited $200 for operate without valid license (second within three years) and a warrant after a traffic stop at 6:32 a.m. at Main and Park streets. Police transported him to Pierce County Jail without incident.
• Police were dispatched at 9:03 p.m. to Circle K (302 S. Main St.) for a shoplifting complaint. A man had stolen two bottles of Malibu rum (worth $46.20 total) and run out the door with them. He was described as white, 6 feet tall with dark clothing and a bandana over his face.

Saturday, Jan. 25

Jackson Lee Hundt, 23, Woodbury, Minn., was arrested and cited $986 for OWI and $986 for operating with PAC after a traffic stop at 1:51 a.m. at Main and Locust streets. An officer saw Hundt make a U-turn at Main and Locust, head the wrong way north on Main Street and pull into the Family Fresh parking lot. He slurred his speech when speaking to police and smelled of alcohol. After performing field sobriety tests and registering a .12 BAC, he was arrested, cited and released to a sober adult.

Sunday, Jan. 26

• At 6:23 a.m., police saw a vehicle driving the wrong way down Spring Street at Third Street. The vehicle then turned left onto Second Street, then right onto Cascade Avenue, where police pulled it over. The driver Riley James Ashburn, 22, River Falls, told police he knew it was a one-way street but wanted to take a shortcut. He’d been drinking at a friend’s house and was giving a woman a ride home. His speech was slow and he registered a .104 BAC after performing field sobriety tests. Ashburn was arrested and cited $986 for OWI and $986 for operating with PAC, booked and released to a sober friend. Abigail Nancy Hassforth, 20, River Falls, was cited $187 for underage drinking/possession of alcohol and given a courtesy ride home.
• Police were dispatched at 9:25 p.m. to 415 Kennedy St. for a disturbance. The complainant said her ex-boyfriend had broken into her residence, trashed it and was now asleep in the bedroom. Police found broken glass all over the living room and the kitchen flooded with water, which was leaking into the basement. The suspect, identified as Bradley Theodore Strand, 27, Mounds View, Minn., had dried blood on him. EMS later located a cut on his foot. He told officers the complainant had invited him over and they eventually began arguing. He said she tipped over the TV. She told officers she had no idea how he’d found her residence and that she had two restraining orders against him, which police confirmed. She also told them he’d placed carpet in the oven, which she removed so it wouldn’t start a fire. Strand was arrested for criminal damage to property, domestic disorderly conduct and two violate domestic abuse injunction charges and transported to Pierce County Jail.
• James Reuben Paredes, 28, Minneapolis, was arrested and cited $986 for OWI and $124 for operate without valid license after a traffic stop at 11:59 p.m. at State Street and Cascade Avenue. Another motorist had called in a possible fight between two men at Sixth Street and Cascade Avenue, then said one man took off in a vehicle west on Cascade. Police located the vehicle and stopped it; Paredes was the driver. A female passenger told police Paredes had been fighting with her boyfriend and was taking her to get her boyfriend’s truck so they could leave. Police could smell alcohol emanating from the vehicle and Paredes had slurred speech and glossy eyes. He was also uncooperative and kept telling the passenger to stop talking to police. He refused to perform field sobriety tests or to take a Breathalyzer. Once transported to the station, he refused to speak at all. He was transported to Pierce County Jail since he refused to call anyone for a ride after booking.

Monday, Jan. 27

• Police were asked to do a welfare check at 11:29 a.m. on an 84-year-old woman who kept going to 1450 S. Wasson Lane #78 thinking her sister lives there. The complainant said this happens often and that the woman’s sister used to live there but hasn’t for years. The woman comes to their home sometimes 3-4 times a day and moves things around on their deck or asks them for money. Police stopped the woman when they saw her going to the trailer and told her she needs to stay away from it. She said she was going to see her sister and seemed confused when told her sister had moved to Arizona. She went home, but police soon saw her heading for the neighbors’ trailer again. She told them she wanted to see if her sister had come back. A report was sent to the Pierce County ADRC. The woman’s daughter called police and told them she has been trying to get her mother help, but her mother refuses to go to a doctor.
• Officers responded at 5:20 p.m. to a home in the 1500 block of Maple Street where a juvenile threw a plate of food at their mother. The juvenile was upset because their parents asked for the passcode to their phone; they didn’t want their parents to know they were involved in a relationship. Police took the phone with the parents’ permission and learned the 22-year-old man posing as their boyfriend was a scammer trying to get personal information. The issue was resolved.
• Police were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash at 6:10 p.m. at Cemetery Road and Main Street between a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan, driven by a 16-year-old River Falls juvenile, and a 2019 Ram 1500, driven by a 17-year-old River Falls juvenile. The Ram was stopped on Cemetery Road facing westbound at the red traffic light when the Tiguan rear-ended it. The driver said he’d been getting his wallet out of the center console and didn’t see the Ram had stopped. The Tiguan was towed due to disabling damage while the Ram had minor damage. The 16-year-old was cited $111.40 for inattentive driving. No injuries were reported.
• At 8:40 p.m., staff at Kwik Trip (1536 Cemetery Road) reported that Demetrius Lamont Nolen, 25, River Falls, stole a bottle of Ole Smokey Peanut Butter Whiskey, valued at $21.99. Nolen had been trespassed from all Kwik Trips previously for stealing. According to police records, Nolen had 12 previous shoplifting theft charges in River Falls the past six months; he hadn’t gone to any court dates or paid any restitution. The case was forwarded to the Pierce County District Attorney for review.

Tuesday, Jan. 28

At 1:20 p.m., a man flagged police down at Second and Division streets to report damage to his vehicle that had occurred between 9:55 and 10:55 p.m. Jan. 18 while driving south on Main Street past BP. Something hit the vehicle and caused the paint to spiderweb over the driver’s side rear wheel. He believed someone from a passing vehicle had thrown something at his. The damage was estimated at $500.

Wednesday, Jan. 29

• At 11:58 a.m., police were called to 1450 S. Wasson Lane #78 for a stolen patio cushion. An elderly woman with possible dementia had taken the cushion back to her trailer. She has a history of similar behavior and comes to the neighbors’ often to “organize” things. The woman said the cushion was hers and seemed confused about the situation. Officers documented the incident and informed Pierce County ADRC of the ongoing issues.
• At 2:29 p.m., police were dispatched to 545 N. Winter St. for a 64-year-old woman found unresponsive in the bathroom by her son. After life-saving measures were unsuccessful, she was deemed deceased by the medical examiner. Family members told police she had three types of cancer and heart valve issues. No foul play is suspected.
• Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at 9:33 p.m. in the parking lot of 2348 Aurora Circle between a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, driven by Benjamin Edward Gavin, 46, River Falls, and an illegally parked 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander, owned by Kelly J. Arbogast, River Falls. Gavin was backing out of a parking space and struck the Outlander, which was illegally parked along the curb. Gavin’s vehicle had no damage while the Outlander had minor damage. No injuries were reported.

Thursday, Jan. 30

Mick Allen Mizell, 18, Hudson, was arrested and cited $187 for possession of THC, $187 for possess drug paraphernalia and $986 for OWI after a traffic stop for an out taillight at 12:55 a.m. at Main Street and Cascade Avenue. Mizell and three other passengers smelled of marijuana. Mizell’s hands shook as he dug out his license and his eyes were bloodshot and glossy. He refused to perform field sobriety tests and was taken to the hospital for a blood draw. Passenger Everett William Haider, 18, Hudson, was cited $187 for possess drug paraphernalia. Police confiscated 3 grams of marijuana from the vehicle, plus a grinder and bowl. The young men said they’d smoke marijuana by Glen Park, then gone to Kwik Trip for food. Mizell was released to Haider’s father after booking.

Friday, Jan. 31

• A 16-year-old River Falls juvenile was cited $73.60 for possessing nicotine after being found with a vape at River Falls High School (818 Cemetery Road).
• Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at 11:21 a.m. at Second and Spring streets between a 2015 Ford Fusion, driven by Gerald Dorsey Gurss, 47, South St. Paul, Minn., and a 2013 Ram 1500, driven by Robert Scott Green, 74, River Falls. Gurss was traveling westbound in the 200 block of Spring Street, which is a posted one-way street. Green was traveling northbound on Second Street, approaching the same intersection. Gurss proceeded into the intersection and struck Green’s passenger side. Gurss said he entered Spring Street from a parking lot and wasn’t aware it was a one-way. The Ford had functional damage while the Ram had minor damage. Neither driver nor Gurss’ passenger Jacob Jerome Nickell, 34, River Falls, reported injuries. Gurss was cited $98.80 for driving against traffic (one-way street).
• Officers were dispatched at 6:12 p.m. to 1450 S. Wasson Lane #12 for a man who would not leave. The caller’s soon-to-be ex-husband Bjorn Joseph Freeberg, 20, New Auburn, was refusing to leave the residence. He had been staying there after having surgery, but had become verbally abusive and was threatening his ex-wife and unborn child. He fled to his ex-wife’s uncle’s trailer when police were called, but agreed to come out when they said he could smoke a cigarette. He was arrested for domestic disorderly conduct, misdemeanor bail jumping and two warrants. Police transported him to St. Croix County Jail.
• Eric John Scott, 37, Hastings, Minn., was arrested and cited $986 for OWI, $187 for possession of THC and $187 for possess drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop for inoperable taillights at 8:47 p.m. on Main Street 200 feet north of Maple Street. Scott’s vehicle smelled of marijuana; he admitted to smoking at home before driving around. In plain sight, police could see a bowl and other drug paraphernalia. After performing field sobriety tests, Scott was arrested for OWI and taken to the hospital for a blood draw. Police confiscated about 14.8 grams of marijuana from Scott’s vehicle, which had marijuana shake in every possible compartment.

Saturday, Feb. 1

• At 2:07 a.m., police observed a man urinating on the retaining wall of First National Bank of River Falls (104 E. Locust St.) He also had a glass of alcohol with him. When he saw police, he took off running through the bank drive-thru lane. He threw his glass near the ATM, where it shattered. He tried to hide near the Circle K dumpsters where police apprehended him. Mitchell Matthew Steen, 20, Waconia, Minn., had a fake ID that said he was from Peoria, Ill. He was arrested and cited $187 for underage drinking, $124 for littering, $187 for an ID card violation, $250 for resisting or obstructing an officer and $124 for urinating in public. At the police station, he registered a .298 BAC. He was given a courtesy ride to Grimm Hall released to his brother, a UW-River Falls student.
• During a property exchange at 5:20 p.m. at 1453 Emory Circle #3, a man gathering his belongings reported the following items as stolen: a Milwaukee straight line laser ($350), a Milwaukee M18 router ($200-$300), 2,700 rounds of American Eagle green tip 5.56/2.23 ammunition, 1,500-2,000 rounds of Remington or Federal 9 mm ammunition, two green square metal containers, 20 30-round black Magpul 5.56/2.23 magazines, and one 60-round drum magazine. A suspect was identified, but denied taking the items. Nearby Ring camera footage proved to be no help in identifying a suspect.
• Brandon Anthony Meyer, 34, Hudson, was cited $250 for operating while revoked (alcohol related) after a traffic stop at 8:46 p.m. at Main and Pomeroy streets.

Sunday, Feb. 2

• Police were dispatched to a disturbance at 5:58 p.m. at 1218 State St. A group home resident was trying to break a TV. She was angry because she didn’t want to miss a movie to shower. She tried to hit the TV with a wooden object, then head-butted it before police could get her into the kitchen. Police were able to calm her down.
• Officers responded at 7:38 p.m. to a home in the 200 block of West Johnson Street for an out-of-control juvenile who was upset because he wanted his sibling to go to bed at the same time he did. He threw things at family members and bit his father multiple times, who expressed frustration that the juvenile’s social worker doesn’t do anything to help them. He tried to find a hospital to bring the juvenile to but couldn’t find a bed. The juvenile agreed to calm down and go to bed.

Monday, Feb. 3

Officers were dispatched at 3:15 p.m. to a two-vehicle crash at Cascade Avenue and Crescent Street between a 2024 Chevy Trailblazer, driven by Abbie Rae Frey, 21, Medford, and a 2015 Audi A3, driven by Margaret Marie Whipple, 47, River Falls. Whipple was heading west on Cascade when Frey, who was turning left from Wild Rose Avenue, struck her left rear side. Frey said she didn’t see Whipple approaching and thought she was clear to turn. Both vehicles had minor damage. Neither driver nor Whipple’s 14-year-old passenger reported injuries. Frey was cited $98.80 for fail/yield right/way from stop sign.

Tuesday, Feb. 4

• Police were dispatched to a trespassing complaint at 9:18 a.m. at 555 N. Main St. A complainant reported a woman was sleeping in their entrance. She refused to leave after being asked to leave multiple times. She finally took off walking toward the River Falls Public Library (140 Union St.) where police found her sitting in the lobby with two suitcases. River Falls Housing Authority asked that she be trespassed from their properties, because she was accusing employees’ families of raping her and kept talking about rape kits. The woman told police she’d been at a friend’s apartment but had to leave when she began arguing with her boyfriend. She had been to both Turning Point and Our Neighbors’ Place to get help with resources. She said she’d go back to ONP later that day on her own.
• Officers were notified of a hit and run at 2:24 p.m. at Cascade Avenue/Second Street roundabout. An unknown large truck was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane on Cascade Avenue and struck a street sign in the median. They left without reporting the accident. A Glenwood City man witnessed the incident.