Story originally printed in the Vernon Broadcaster or online at www.vernonbroadcaster.com
Published - Friday, April 04, 2008
Rural Viola man surrenders to authorities
The Richland County Sheriff's Department reported that a day-long standoff with a rural Viola man ended with the man's surrender late Thursday afternoon.
Robert Bayliss, 60, gave up after an exchange of gunfire with authorities. Officers also deployed tear gas during the melee. Bayliss surendered after his home started on fire during the raid. The cause of the fire was unknown Thursday night.
Bayliss fired shots at officers on three occasions in the last week -- on Monday when they initially tried to serve him papers at his residence, Thursday morning when they tried to approach his residence to arrest him in an armored car and during the final raid by authorities on his property.
Bayliss owed more than $5,000 in back taxes to Richland County. Officers initially went to his home to serve him papers regarding the taxes, Lt. Robert Frank of the Richland County Sheriff's Department said.
The Associated Press reported that Bayliss had not paid taxes on his 18-acre property for seven years.
Law enforcement tactical teams from Vernon, La Crosse, Richland, Dane, Sauk and Eau Claire counties participated in the arrest of Bayliss.
 The booking photo of Robert Bayliss from the Richland County Sheriff's Department. |
No injuries were reported.
Bayliss is in custody and the investigation continues.
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