Law Enforcement

■ June 28 - An officer was made aware of an attempt to locate email sent by Clark County for a man who resided in Abbotsford. The email stated that if the man was located he was to be taken into custody for domestic related charges. That morning, the reporting officer along with Chief Alex Bowman arrived at the man's residence and made contact with the man. The officer advised the man that he was under arrest and would be taken to the Clark County jail for his charges. The man was placed in handcuffs and was transported to the Clark County Jail without incident.

■ ■ June 30 - An officer was dispatched to Shortner Park in Abbotsford for a complaint of three males that were driving in circles and not allowing the female caller to leave the park. The officer arrived and met with the caller who said that she went to the park to take her three kids to play. The woman said when she drove into the park, there were multiple cars and when they saw her, they all left except a turquoise colored truck.

The woman said that her three kids exited the vehicle along with her two dogs and began to play. The woman said that one of the three unidentified males was talking on the phone about two cute girls at the park and that he wanted to pick them up. The officer asked the woman what language the male was speaking. The woman said he was speaking Spanish. The officer asked how the woman knew what the man was talking about. The woman said she knew a little Spanish and understood what they were saying. The woman then said that the unidentified individual was saying pick up in English. The woman said she did not want this behavior to continue so she started packing up the kids.

The woman said that she packed up the kids when the truck left. She then followed the vehicle in hopes of recording the vehicle’s license plate. The woman then went back to the park to call police.

The woman said while waiting for police to arrive, a vehicle kept going in and out of the park and the passenger and driver kept switching each time they would come by. The woman gave the officer a description of the vehicle and the officer left the scene.

■ ■ July 1 - An officer was made aware of a fraud complaint at Royal Credit Union in Colby. Upon arrival, they met with a RCU employee and the complainant in a private office. The RCU employee explained that the complainant had come to the bank to wire transfer $12,000 to an account in New York to pay for the taxes on a 2024 Ford Bronco he believed he had won. The complainant stated he was contacted by someone that stated they were from Publishers Clearing House, and that he had won 9.5 million dollars, a 2024 Ford Bronco, and $7,000 a week for the rest of his life. The complainant stated he understands it to be a scam now, but believed it at first. The complainant stated the person he was in contact with identified himself as “Albert Johnson”.

The complainant and RCU employee went on to explain that the complainant had also written a check for $9,500, but because of their conversation, she had cancelled the check for him and that money stayed in his account. The complainant stated he did not know the alleged purpose of this check, but wrote and sent it anyway because he was told to.

Besides the wire transfer and check, the complainant was also instructed by “Albert” to go to a gas station, put $500 on pre-paid gift cards, and give “Albert” the code on the back. “Albert” told the complainant he would get $7,000 for every $500 gift card he gave to “Albert”. The complainant bought four $500 MoneyPak prepaid gift cards and one $80 MoneyPak prepaid debit card. He then provided the codes on the back of the cards to “Albert”.

The complainant stated “Albert” was angry that the one gift card only had $80 on it. The complaint stated that was all he could afford at the time, and that “Albert” threatened to call the police on the complainant if he didn’t pay more money. The complainant answered a phone call from “Albert” while at the bank, prior to the officer’s arrival. “Albert” was angry that he was speaking with an account representative, stating to the complainant over the phone that he shouldn’t let the bank tell him how to use his own money.

The officer informed the complainant that the money he had given away through the prepaid gift cards was not refundable. The officer advised the complainant to block the number that had been calling him, and to not answer phone calls from unknown numbers. The officer told the complainant that if the phone calls continued on different numbers, to call Clark County Dispatch non emergency line.

■ ■ July 1 - An officer received a complaint of a theft at the Kwik Trip in Abbotsford.

Upon arrival the officer spoke with the manager who stated that she would like to report a theft. The manager stated that the male individual drank two Red Bulls and a cup of coffee within the store that he did not purchase. The manager also stated that he took at least one candy package and a CB antenna mounting bar. The manager stated that the male left in a vehicle bearing a Wisconsin registration license plate. The registration came back to a person in Spooner.

The manager showed the officer surveillance camera footage. The officer asked the manager if she gave the individual consent to take these items. The manager stated no and agreed to fill out a Lack of Consent form.

On July 2, the officer called Washburn County dispatch and informed them of a retail theft that occurred in Abbotsford. The officer asked Washburn County dispatch if they had anything in-house on either the registration plate or on the individual. Washburn County dispatch stated they did and gave the officer the phone number of the individual.

The officer attempted to call the phone numbers that were provided. The individual’s phone went straight to voicemail.

The officer went to the Kwik Trip to attempt to obtain a photograph of the male suspect. The officer was able to obtain two photos of the suspect and emailed them to Washburn County dispatch. They believe the suspect to be another individual. The officer will try to contact both the car owner and the suspect.

■ ■ July 2 - An officer received a complaint concerning a white vehicle that has expired plates and has been parked for a long time in the City of Colby.

The officer observed a white Oldsmobile Alero parked on the south edge of the driveway with an expired sticker from 2017. Running the plate, it shows that it expired in 2020. Based on previous complaints in 2017 concerning this vehicle, it appears this vehicle has remained parked since 2017. Photographs were taken of the car.

A warning letter will be sent to the property owner to remove the vehicle.

■ ■ July 3 - An officer received a complaint concerning three unregistered vehicles that have been parked a long time and debris in Colby.

The officer observed three vehicles parked to the south of the garage on the property, a black Toyota with no plates displayed, a white car and a dark colored pick up. The officer could not see the plate on the white car or the dark colored pick up. According to the complainant, the vehicles are unregistered and have been parked longer than 10 days. The officer has observed the vehicles on previous patrols. The vehicles are also visible on the online maps. Photographs were taken of the property and a letter will be sent to the property owner.

■ ■ July 3 - An officer received a call from a person stating that there are more pictures of a neighbor trespassing on their property. The officer asked the complainant to email them the pictures.

The pictures show the neighbor moving the no trespassing signs that the complainant has on the north edge of the property. The neighbor mows the grass under the pine trees and puts the sign back in place. The neighbor knows he does not own the property he is mowing under the pine trees and has been told multiple times that the complainant does not want him on the property or mowing that section of grass. The neighbor was issued trespassing citations for this in the past.

The officer called the neighbor and alerted them of a citation for trespassing over voicemail. The neighbor later returned the officer’s call and told the officer that he is only maintaining the appearance of the property line and home values. The neighbor said that the no trespassing signs are directly on the property line. The officer told the neighbor that the pictures show him under the pine trees which is clearly not on his property. The neighbor insisted he is maintaining the property line, the officer reiterated that he has been told to stay off of the complainants property. The neighbor said he wants an elected official to hear this case and will be taking it up with the judge. The officer told the neighbor that it is his right as a citizen to take it to a judge, but he will still be mailed citations every time he is clearly on the complainants property. The neighbor claims that he is not trespassing because he is not on their driveway or front porch.