Story originally printed in the Vernon Broadcaster or online at www.vernonbroadcaster.com
Published - Friday, April 04, 2008
Authorities involved in armed stand-off near Viola
Law enforcement tactical teams from Vernon, La Crosse and Richland County were in an armed stand-off at a residence in rural northwestern Richland County, Thursday.
Lt. Bob Frank of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said the tactical team members, who use special weapons and vehicles, used an armored rescue vehicle to serve a search warrant and arrest warrant at a residence in Forest Township near Viola.
"This morning as the armored rescue vehicle was approaching the residence the suspect fired multiple rounds at the armored vehicle," the Richland County Sheriff's Department said in a press release. "No officers were injured."
The armored vehicle, known as a “bear cat” is owned by La Crosse County and was damaged.
Frank said officers were trying to apprehend a male suspect on tax-related warrants. The Associated Press reported the individual was Robert Bayliss, 60, who according to Richland County officials owes more than $5,000 in back taxes and has not paid property taxes for his 18-acre parcel of property for seven years. A Robert C. Bayliss is listed as living at 15299 County Highway G, Viola.
Officers had the area where the residence was located contained and were trying to make contact with individuals in the residence.
“(Richland County Sheriff Darrell Berglin) is finalizing operational plans in an attempt to resolve the situation in as safe a manner as possible,” Frank reported Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
 The Kickapoo Rescue Squad, based out of Viola, was used to block Co. G just west of Vernon County line in Richland County, Thursday. Law officers from Richland, Vernon, La Crosse, Dane and Eau Claire counties, among others, were involved in an armed standoff with a man who shot and damaged La Crosse County's armored rescue vehicle, Thursday morning. (Matt Johnson photo) |
The incident began on Monday, Frank said, when four uniformed deputies attempted to serve papers at the residence. When they approached the residence, they were “fired upon causing them to retreat.”
Since Monday, both Vernon and Richland county deputies stepped up patrols in the area, Frank said. Meanwhile officers from Richland, Vernon and La Crosse counties went through “extensive planning to resolve the situation.” That planning led to the raid by the tactical teams on Thursday morning.
However, once the raid was launched and the armored vehicle damaged, officers retreated again. Both Dane and Eau Claire county authorities sent tactical squads and equipment to the scene Thursday afternoon. Frank said that one individual had been evacuated from the area for safety reasons.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department believes there is no immediate danger to the public. The Kickapoo Rescue Squad was being used to block off a portion of Co. G just past the entrance to the S&S Cycle plant outside of Viola.
Law enforcement authorities were using the Viola Fire Department as a staging area and Richland County had a mobile command center set up just outside the fire department’s doors.
All stories copyright 2006 Vernon Broadcaster and other attributed sources.