Arson - Town of Reedsburg

On Wednesday, February 10, 2020, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office received an emergency call of a structure fire on STH 154 in the Town of Reedsburg. Information at that time was that all residents had safely evacuated, but some pets were still inside. Sauk County Sheriff’s Deputies and Reedsburg Fire and Ambulance were immediately dispatched to the location.

As the investigation commenced, information was gained that it was believed that a 17 year old male resident of the home had intentionally set the fire in the basement and taken a family members car, possibly headed to Madison, WI.

As Firefighters battled the fire, Sauk County Sheriff’s Deputies coordinated with the Madison Police Department as to the identity of the 17 year old suspect and a possible area where he may be going along with the vehicle he would be driving.

Officers from the Madison Police Department searched that area and located the vehicle and suspect. The suspect was cooperative with the Officers and was taken into custody without incident.

A Sauk County Sheriff Detective met with the Madison Officers, took custody of the suspect and transported him to the Sauk County Law Enforcement Center where he was interviewed.

Initial information gathered at the beginning of the investigation as well as in the suspect interview provided probable cause to arrest the suspect for 2nd Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety. The suspect remains in the Sauk County Jail pending case review and the official charging process by the Sauk County District Attorney’s Office. Additional charges are expected to be filed, however, this remains an active criminal investigation.

The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the Reedsburg Police Department, Reedsburg Fire and EMS Departments, Baraboo Fire Department, Dells-Delton Ambulance Service, LaValle Fire Department, Loganville Fire Department, North Freedom Fire Department and the Madison Police Department.

Chip Meister

Sauk County Sheriff