Last night we held our annual Awards Ceremony to recognize community members and members of our Department for extraordinary and exceptional service they provided in 2017. We had a remarkable turn-out and it was a night to remember! Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for photos and more details from the event in the coming days. Thank you to everyone who attended and for making the evening memorable!
Our crime data highlighted today is Burglaries. Our City has experienced 247 reported burglaries so far this year. Compared to last year's numbers (304 - for the first four months of the year), we have seen a 19% decrease.
In April of 2017, there were 75 reported burglaries. During April of 2018, we received 45 reported burglaries, which reflects a 40% decrease.
What we know about these burglaries (from April 2018):
- At least 11 burglaries occurred when a resident was home.
- At least 12 burglaries occurred due to an unlocked door or open garage.
- One .22 rifle was taken in April 2018.
- Two vehicles were taken in the course of a burglary, both from an open garage.
An additional piece of information is being shared today, at the request of a constituent, to provide definitions for various charges. So today, I share the Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instructions (University of Wisconsin Law School) for Burglaries. If you were sitting on an empaneled jury, these are the instructions, without all of the complex "legalese" that the Judge would read prior to going into jury deliberations.
Statutory Definition of the Crime: Burglary, as defined in §943.10 of the Criminal Code of Wisconsin, is committed by one who intentionally enters a building without the consent of the person in lawful possession and with intent to steal.
State's Burden of Proof: Before you may find the defendant guilty of this offense, the State must prove by evidence which satisfies you beyond a reasonable doubt that the following four elements were present.
Elements of the Crime That the State Must Prove:
- The defendant intentionally entered a building.
- The defendant entered the building without consent of the person in lawful possession.
- The defendant knew that the entry was without consent.
- The defendant entered the building with intent to steal.
"Intent to steal" requires that the defendant had the mental purpose to take and carry away movable property of another without consent and that the defendant intended to deprive the owner permanently of possession of the property. [It requires that the defendant knew the property belonged to another and knew the person did not consent to the taking of the property.]
The information contained in my blog is derived from notes provided by MPD Officers-In-Charge (OIC) at the end of their shifts. Most narratives represent early and preliminary information that was gathered by an OIC from those in the field who were actively working cases. The OIC is sharing what they were being told, in the moment. In many instances, facts and circumstances, even the type of crime listed, can change as officers, detectives and investigators continue their work.
From 5:30 a.m. on 05/08/2018 through 5:30 a.m. on 05/09/2018, MPD received 508 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials. For purposes of clarification, the following abbreviations are short-hand for race designations: W=White, AA=African American, NA=Native American, H=Hispanic, ME=Middle Eastern, A=Asian, MR=Mixed Race, U=Unknown. MPD shifts are staggered as follows: 1st detail=7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2nd detail=12 p.m. to 8 p.m., 3rd detail=3 p.m. to 11 p.m., 4th detail=8 p.m. to 4 a.m., 5th detail=11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
1) MIDTOWN: Disorderly Conduct – 6:03 a.m. A UW off-duty police officer observed a male subject punch his female companion in the head at the intersection of S. Park St and W. Washington Ave. The subjects were contacted by officers and both denied that any altercation occurred. The victim (18-year-old WF) was intoxicated and denied being struck. The male subject (18-year-old WM) was cited for disorderly conduct and released.
2) NORTH: Death Investigation – 8:26 a.m. Officers responded to a motel for a deceased subject (50-year-old AAF). Multiple cans of Dust-Off were located in the room as well as numerous medications. Medical Examiner's office responded. Investigation continuing.
3) EAST: Juvenile Arrest – 10:14 a.m. Officers observed a juvenile (16-year-old AAM) who had an outstanding capias (this is the functional equivalent of an adult "warrant"). The juvenile fled but was apprehended by officers. The juvenile lied about his identity. The juvenile was conveyed to the Juvenile Reception Center.
4) MIDTOWN: Juvenile Arrest – 12:10 p.m. An MPD Educational Resource Officer (ERO) responded to a disturbance at Memorial HS. The aggressor/suspect (15-year-old AAM) was cited for disorderly conduct and possession of marijuana. The juvenile was released to the care of a parent/guardian.
5) CENTRAL: Adult Arrested Person – 12:34 p.m. Officers responded to Fordem Ave for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (18-year-old WF victim and 18-year-old WM suspect). Police had been called earlier in the day to the same residence and no charges were substantiated at that time. Police were called back due to the argument/disturbance continuing. Probable cause was established for charging the suspect with domestic disorderly conduct.
6) WEST: Juvenile Arrest – 12:43 p.m. Officers responded to McKenna Blvd for a disturbance between two subjects (21-year-old AAF victim and 16-year-old AAF suspect). The two subjects are sisters. The suspect battered the victim and damaged the victim's vehicle. The suspect was arrested for domestic charges of battery and criminal damage to property. The suspect was conveyed to the Juvenile Reception Center.
7) EAST: Death Investigation – 1:15 p.m. Officers responded to an east side residence for a deceased subject (32-year-old WM). Evidence of drug use present. Medical Examiner's office responded. Investigation continuing.
8) NORTH: Information – 3:13 p.m. During the course of an investigation regarding a fight between two female juveniles, information was also volunteered regarding a possible sexual assault (unsubstantiated at this time). Child Protective Services plugged in. Investigation continuing.
9) SOUTH: Weapons Offense/Shots Fired – 4:03 p.m. Officers responded to the 2900 block of Irvington Way for numerous callers reporting hearing shots fired. Officers located multiple casings (9) in the roadway. The neighborhood was canvassed. No injuries or building damage was located. Press release completed. Investigation continuing.
10) MIDTOWN: Mental Health Conveyance – 4:17 p.m. Officers responded to a local hospital, at the request of a crisis worker, regarding a subject needing an emergency detention. The subject (15-year-old AAF) was conveyed to Winnebago.
11) EAST: Weapons Offense/Subject with a Gun – 7:21 p.m. Officers responded to Thierer Rd for a report of a male subject who had pulled a handgun on a subject. The victim (57-year-old AAM) reported being chased and having a handgun pointed at him by a suspect (AAM). The victim stated that the suspect threatened to shoot him. The suspect was not located or identified at this time. Investigation continuing.
12) SOUTH: Crash with Injuries – 8:08 p.m. Officers responded to Applegate Drive for a one-vehicle crash. Witnesses observed the vehicle driving at a very high rate of speed and as the driver approached a curve he lost control. The vehicle jumped a curb, struck a power pole and rolled over several times. The driver/suspect (24-year-old WM) sustained a minor scratch. The suspect was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (1st offense). Press release completed.
13) WEST: Intoxicated Driver – 8:36 p.m. Officers responded to the area of Old Sauk Rd/Excelsior Dr for what was originally reported as a vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers located the driver/suspect (32-year-old WM) off the roadway and stuck. The suspect was uncooperative with officers. The suspect was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (3rd offense), resisting, providing false identification and obstruction.
14) CENTRAL: Substantial Battery – 9:16 p.m. Officers responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of State St. Officers arrived and located a subject (21-year-old WM) unconscious. An intoxicated witness stated that the injured subject had made derogatory statements toward a group of individuals and that he was subsequently assaulted. The injured subject was transported to a local hospital. No other subjects involved in this incident have been identified at this time. Press release completed. Investigation continuing.
15) NORTH: Weapons Offense/Shots Fired – 2:59 a.m. Officers responded to the area of N. Oak St/Coolidge St for a report of shots fired. No evidence of shots fired located. Additional canvassing may be necessary during daylight hours. Investigation continuing.
16) NORTH: Domestic Disturbance – 2:59 a.m. Officers responded to a report of a female crying and bleeding on Straubel Court. Investigation discovered that the suspect (26-year-old AAM) entered the victim's residence without permission and proceeded to yell at and assaulted the victim (25-year-old AAF). The subject's had previously dated. The victim sustained injuries to her face. The suspect fled. Once located, the suspect will be charged with domestic disorderly conduct, domestic battery, criminal trespass to dwelling and trespass after notification. Investigation continuing.