Chief Koval's Blog

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 6:00 a.m. on 08/16/2019 through 6:00 a.m. on 08/17/2019, MPD received 591 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.
 
To further break down the 591 calls for service for the past 24 hours, this is how the calls came in per district: Central (125), East (107), Midtown (89), North (80), South (80), West (73), and Other (37).  Other=these are calls for service that either do not have a sector listed or the sector is not in the City.  For example, if one of our officers assists another law enforcement agency, their sector is not listed in our districts so therefore it is listed under "other."

**Priority calls only from 8:50am-10:55am, 4:25pm-5:05pm and 6:45pm-8:50pm due to calls for service. 

1) NORTH: Residential Burglary/Stolen Autos – 8:31 a.m.  Officers responded to a north side residence where the homeowner/victim (75-year-old WM) reported two vehicles stolen.  The victim believes his garage door or the back screen door were left open and that someone entered his residence and stole his wife's purse which contained the vehicle keys.  Attempt to locate aired.  The vehicles were listed as stolen in the appropriate databases.  Investigation continuing.   

2) NORTH: Death Investigation – 10:57 a.m.  Officers responded to a north side residence for a deceased subject (62-year-old WM).  The decedent had multiple health issues.  Nothing suspicious observed on scene.  Medical Examiner's office responded. 

3) EAST: Information/Arson/Check Welfare – 12:23 p.m.  Officers responded to Gannon Ave for a report of a fire and an out-of-control subject/suspect (37-year-old WM).  The suspect, who has 24/7 care, reportedly set a room on fire.  The suspect and his caregivers were able to escape without any injuries.  The suspect continued to be disruptive once outside.  The suspect was taken into protective custody and conveyed to a local hospital for an evaluation before eventually being transported to WMHI.  Charges may be forthcoming.  Investigation continuing.     

4) EAST: Weapons Offense – 4:04 pm.  The victim (26-year-old WM) was driving northbound on Zeier Rd when he was cut off by the suspect (HM in his twenties) as the suspect pulled out of a parking lot.  The victim passed the suspect vehicle and at one point looked over to see the suspect pointing a handgun at him.  The suspect followed the victim to a parking lot where the victim exited his vehicle and the suspect again pointed the firearm at the victim and threatened him before driving away.  Police attempted contact with a potential suspect without success.  Investigation continuing.

5) NORTH: Traffic Crash – 4:16 pm.  Officers responded to the intersection of International Ln and Darwin Rd where a vehicle struck a pole and rolled over.  One occupant of the vehicle was pinned inside and MFD arrived on scene and extricated the occupant.  There were no reports of injuries.  Investigation continuing.

6) NORTH: Assist Police – 6:20 pm.  WI State Patrol and Columbia County Sheriff's Office were involved in a vehicle pursuit involving a suspect (40-year-old AAM) in an armed robbery.  The suspect crashed into a FedEx truck at the intersection of E Washington Ave and N Stoughton Rd where the suspect was taken into custody.  No reported injuries.  MPD was not involved in the pursuit and is investigating the crash.  Incident report completed on MPD website.  Investigation continuing.

7) CENTRAL: Drug Incident/Investigation – 7:10 pm.  Officers observed the suspects (17- and 18-year-old AAMs) on city cameras apparently engaged in a drug deal.  Officers contacted the suspects in the 100 block of W Mifflin St and found cocaine on the 17-year-old suspect and in a cooler he was sitting on.  The 17-year-old suspect was charged with party to a crime and a probation violation and taken to jail.  The 18-year-old suspect was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and taken to jail.  Investigation continuing.

8) CENTRAL: Conveyance Alcohol/Attempted Suicide – 7:47 pm.  A subject (24-year-old WM) jumped into Lake Mendota in the area of W Lakelawn Pl in an attempt to commit suicide.  The subject was rescued by a boater who saw the subject go under.  The subject was placed into protective custody and transported to the hospital where he was discovered to be highly intoxicated.  The subject fled the hospital but was apprehended by officers who then conveyed the subject to detox where he was being monitored.

9) EAST: Information/Weapons Offense – 9:50 pm.  Officers responded to the area of Mayfair Ave and Lexington Ave for a report of shots fired.  Officers responded and checked the area and no damage to property or injured persons were found.  It is believed fireworks were set off nearby which the caller mistook for gunfire.  Investigation continuing.

10) WEST: Domestic Disturbance/Damage to Property – 3:40 am.  Officers responded to the 6300 block of Hammersley Rd for a report of someone breaking the windows on a vehicle with a baseball bat.  Officers made contact with the vehicle owner/victim (39-year-old AAM) who believed the suspects to be his girlfriend (41-year-old AAF) and her adult children (24-year-old AAF and 22-year-old AAM).  Officers developed probable cause to arrest the suspects, who remain at large, on charges of battery, disorderly conduct and damage to property.  Investigation continuing.