September 12, 2022 – Dodge County, WI – Felony charges were issued after a number of vehicle pursuits over the weekend. At about 2:48 a.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2022, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of a vehicle westbound on State Highway 33 with no lights on. A deputy located the vehicle near Thompson Road and attempted to stop it after observing the car was also all over the road.
The vehicle fled and the deputy initiated a pursuit that lasted about 10 minutes southeast of Beaver Dam and ended on Hwy 151 south of Hwy 33 when the vehicle stopped prior to where the Beaver Dam Police Department had set out stop sticks.
The subject, Richard Hron, 32, of Horicon, was taken into custody without incident. Hron was booked into the Dodge County Jail on a probation violation. Charges of felony eluding an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, and OWI will be requested from the Dodge County District Attorney’s Office.
This is the second pursuit initiated by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office over the weekend, a separate release was sent regarding the earlier pursuit. The individual in the earlier pursuit was not identified at the time of the earlier release but is now being identified as Brian Hellenbrand, 42, of Columbus, WI.
Charges in that pursuit include felony eluding an officer, felony OWI, felony bail jumping and misdemeanor operating after revocation are being requested. Of course, both individuals listed in this release are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sheriff Dale Schmidt would like to remind the public that the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office will responsibly pursue individuals who attempt to flee from law enforcement and will hold them accountable.
Fortunately, no one was injured during these two incidents but when people flee from law enforcement, it is very dangerous for all involved including others who may be near these pursuits. It is equally as dangerous to allow criminals to believe that if they flee, they will get away with violating the law.
While that approach may be tolerated in other communities, we believe there must be a response to these felonious acts to send the message that it will not be tolerated in Dodge County. Our actions must always weigh the importance of holding people accountable and the safety of our citizens, while also acting as a deterrent for others who may consider this type of behavior in the future.
Sheriff Schmidt would also like to remind the public that it is very important to stay alert when driving and when you see an emergency vehicle, immediately pull over to the side of the road and stop. The sooner you see the emergency vehicle and stop, the safer everyone on the road will be. You never know if that emergency vehicle is responding to a medical
emergency, an armed robbery or if they are pursuing someone committing the felony action of fleeing from law enforcement. A reminder that a felony is a crime with a penalty of one year or more in state prison.
Please be safe on our highways and if you ever find yourself in a situation where you are being stopped by law enforcement, a decision to flee from law enforcement is a costly one and could cost you serious time in prison or worse, it could cause a serious crash and cost someone their life.
