MEENON | Charges were filed against Waupun Police Lt. Brad
Young in Burnett County Tuesday, adding to the charges filed against him in
Barron and Green Lake counties.
Young, 43, is charged with burglary of a building or
dwelling and misdemeanor theft in Burnett County. He is scheduled to make an
initial appearance today.
He is also charged with fleeing or eluding an officer and
taking and driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent in Barron County and
three counts of burglary of a building or dwelling and one count each of
possession of burglarious tools, taking and driving a vehicle without the
owner’s consent, obstructing an officer and criminal damage to property over
$2,500.
Young turned in his resignation from the police department
on Aug. 21. However, the Police and Fire Commission have to accept the
resignation at their next meeting on Aug. 29.
Young had been on the Waupun Police Department for 22 years.
According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to a
burglary complaint on Aug. 6 at 5:25 p.m. in Burnett County. The homeowner said
that someone broke in using the window above the kitchen sink. The only thing
missing from the home was a firearm and some ammunition. There was an estimated
$1,500 in damage done to patio doors and a garage door. The firearm was found
north of the home.
The complaint states that Young told officers that he headed
to a family member’s cabin to kill himself, but found that there were no
firearms in the cabin.
So instead he took a jar of change, a cell phone charger and
a bicycle. According to the complaint he rode the bicycle to another residence,
broke in, charged his phone, and took a rifle and one round of ammunition. The
complaint states that his mother called and after he spoke with his children he
decided not to kill himself and instead turned himself in.
Young is currently in custody in the Burnett County Jail.
Internal
Probe Triggers Firing of Petaluma Cop
Lt. Dave Sears had been on paid leave since June.
A two-month internal investigation of veteran police Lt.
Dave Sears has culminated with the veteran Petaluma cop's firing.
Sears confirmed his dismissal in an interview with the Santa
Rosa Press Democrat.
“At this point all I can tell you is that we are
disappointed it has come to this,” he told the publication.
Sears' firing hasn't been officially announced, the report
said. Petaluma's official city website still has Sears listed as a current
member of the force.
Sears had been on paid leave since June. It is not clear
what led to his dismissal, the report said.
“I have no more knowledge of anything that transpired that
led to this than anyone else,” Petaluma Mayor David Glass told the Press
Democrat.
Sears was hired by the Petaluma Police Department in 1999
after serving 12 years on the Benecia force. He has worked in patrol, criminal
investigations, SWAT, Field Training Program, and Administrative Services.
His current responsibilities as Administrative Services
Lieutenant includes supervising the Communication Center and Records
Department. He is also responsible for the police budget and evaluating claims
and risk management.
Sears was a former captain and a candidate to succeed former
Chief Steve Hood after his 2009 retirement. He was demoted to lieutenant in a
move that cost him $35,000 in annual salary.
