Washington County recovers $32K from June, 2016 scam

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- The Washington County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the June, 2016 fraud investigation which resulted in the transfer of nearly 88,000 from a Washington County bank account to other criminal bank accounts.On June 16th, Washington County authorities say a wire transfer of $87,760 was authorized to criminal bank accounts.According to the news release on September 23rd, the sheriff's office worked closely with Washington County's primary commercial banking institution to initiate a fraud recall on a portion of the funds that remained in the illegitimate accounts.As a result of the efforts, $32,163.76 was returned to Washington County on September 15th.The criminal investigation into this case remains active.

Plane makes emergency landing on CTH H in Washington County; no injuries reported

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- A plane made an emergency landing on CTH H just west of Lover’s Lane in the Town of Farmington on Tuesday, September 20th.The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a plane landing around 10:15 a.m. The caller indicated that no crash had occurred and that nobody was injured.

Washington County: 1 dead following single-vehicle crash on I-41

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- One person has died following a single-vehicle crash that took place on I-41 just south of County Highway FD/Pioneer Road in the Village of Richfield.The crash occurred on Friday, September 16th.According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, preliminary investigation indicates an SUV, operated by a 35-year-old City of Hartford man, was traveling southbound on I-41 in the right lane, when it rapidly approached other southbound vehicles which were reducing speed due to a construction-related lane closure.Officials say an apparent attempt to avoid striking a vehicle, the SUV swerved, lost control of the vehicle, and entered a grassy area between I-41 southbound and an on-ramp which caused the vehicle to roll several times, ejecting the driver.The 35-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene by the Washington County Medical Examiner's Office.

67-year-old Grafton man killed in motorcycle crash on Highway M in Washington County

TOWN OF TRENTON -- A 67-year-old Grafton man was killed in a motorcycle crash in the Town of Trenton in Washington County Monday, September 5th.Sheriff's officials say the crash was discovered around 2:00 p.m. by a passing driver who came upon the scene.It happened on County Highway M, south of Paradise Drive.Sheriff's officials say the man, identified as Ernest Westcott, was located lying near the motorcycle in the west ditch.

Washington Co. authorities seek information on trespassers accused of theft, vandalism on property

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- The Washington County Sheriff's Office is looking for the public's help in identifying at least two people who have been trespassing on a property located on Indian Lore Road in the Town of Farmington.According to the sheriff's office, people have been seen trespassing on the property multiple times and most recently they have been involved in vandalisms and thefts on the property.The sheriff's office is now seeking information to identify the people who may be responsible.Photos of suspects:

West Bend woman busted by her own handwriting while trying to report her vehicle as stolen

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- A West Bend woman was busted by her own handwriting while trying to report a stolen vehicle.According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, on Friday, August 26th, around 6:30 p.m., the 28-year-old West Bend woman wanted to report her vehicle as stolen.During the investigation, the deputy learned the woman had been arrested earlier that afternoon in connection with a domestic abuse-type incident.Then, it was determined that on Friday morning, around 4:00 a.m., the vehicle the woman was reporting as stolen was involved in a hit-and-run crash.

No charges to be filed in West Bend crash that killed 18-year-old Ryan Yauck

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- The Washington County Sheriff's Office announced on Monday, August 29th that it concluded its investigation into a fatal crash on Highway 45 in West Bend on February 20th. 18-year-old Ryan Yauck, a West Bend East High School student was struck and killed in that wreck near Chestnut Street.Yauck was pulled over on the shoulder putting gas in his car when another vehicle, driving northbound, struck him.The investigation revealed that operator impairment, speed and cell phone manipulation were not factors in this crash.

New Berlin woman arrested for OWI, battery to officer after pursuit through Germantown, Richfield

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- A New Berlin woman was arrested in her own driveway after allegedly leading authorities on a wild chase that began in Germantown early Thursday, August 11th.Around 12:15 a.m. Thursday, a deputy on patrol heard a Germantown police officer conducting a traffic stop in the area of Highway 167 and I-41 request a second squad to the scene.The deputy was nearby, and responded to the scene to assist.As the deputy was exciting his squad car, Washington County Sheriff's officials say the deputy saw the suspect vehicle flee the scene at a high rate of speed.The suspect vehicle was pursued for several miles through Germantown until the operator's driving became too dangerous to continue the pursuit.The suspect vehicle was later found in the Cabela's parking lot in Richfield.

"No other choice but to drink:" Man blames State of Wisconsin for his second OWI arrest

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- Officials with the Washington County Sheriff's Office say a 23-year-old Germantown man was arrested for OWI -- second offense, and blamed the state for his trouble.The arrest occurred on Sunday morning, August 7th around 3:30 a.m. on Highway 175 at Hubertus Road.Sheriff's officials responded to that location for a crash involving a single vehicle and a We Energies electrical pole.The Germantown man refused a breathalyzer, Sheriff's officials say, and a search warrant was obtained for a blood draw.Sheriff's officials say as he was being arrested, the man repeatedly blamed the State of Wisconsin for his two drunk driving incidents because "the drinking culture in Wisconsin gives him no other choice but to drink."The man was taken to jail after the blood draw.

No one hurt in fire on campus of senior/assisted living facility in West Bend

WEST BEND -- Officials with the Washington County Sheriff's Office say no one was hurt in a fire that happened on the campus of a senior/assisted living facility Wednesday evening, August 3rd.Sheriff's officials say shortly before 8:30 p.m., a report came in from two residents of the Cedar Community who were walking and saw smoke coming from the soffit of the "Learning Center" on Learning Center Drive in West Bend.First responders from the structure unoccupied, with heavy smoke coming from it.

Fond du Lac woman taken to hospital via Flight for Life after crash involving truck pulling trailer on I-41

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- Officials with the Washington County Sheriff's Office say a 31-year-old North Fond du Lac woman was taken to the hospital via Flight for Life after a crash on I-41 SB near Highway 28 in the Town of Wayne Monday, August 1st.It happened around 4:00 p.m.Sheriff's officials say the crash involved a car and a truck that was pulling a cattle trailer.The driver of the car, the 31-year-old North Fond du Lac Woman, was trapped in her vehicle after the crash and needed to be extricated.

West Bend woman arrested for OWI; officials say she had 3 children in her vehicle

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- A 26-year-old West Bend woman was arrested for a first-time OWI offense on Saturday, July 23rd.The Washington County Sheriff's Office reports a bartender from a Town of Polk bar called around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday to report a hysterical female in the lot with three children in her vehicle.

Four 17-year-old girls seriously injured in crash on WIS 60 near Lovers Lane in Slinger

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- Four 17-year-old girls are all suffering serious injuries following a two-vehicle crash that took place on Wisconsin Highway 60 near Lovers Lane.According to the Slinger Police Department, when officials arrived at the scene, two vehicles were located with very heavy damage and a traffic standard was knocked down.Officials say two of the girls were trapped and needed to be extricated.One of the girls was transported to Froedtert Hospital by Flight for Life.