LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

May 6, 2025
Deputies were dispatched to the area of STH 107 and Behling Rd. in the Town of Bradley for a motor vehicle crash with injuries. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the driver, a 64-year-old man from Wausau. He stated he was traveling northbound on STH 107 when he briefly looked away, lost control of his truck, and entered the ditch, striking a tree. The driver sustained head and shoulder injuries and was transported by ambulance to Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital. He was issued multiple traffic citations.

A deputy on patrol observed a vehicle speeding southbound on USH 51 near CTH K in the Town of Birch. The vehicle was stopped, and contact was made with the driver, a 22-year-old man from Lake City, Minn. The deputy detected the odor of marijuana and signs of impairment. A search of the vehicle revealed marijuana and drug paraphernalia. A second deputy, trained in identifying impairment due to controlled substances, administered sobriety tests. The driver was arrested for first-offense OWI and booked into the Lincoln County Jail for possession of marijuana (THC) and drug paraphernalia.

Another deputy observed a vehicle speeding on USH 8 near Tannery Rd. The driver, an 18-year-old man from Tripoli, exhibited signs of impairment and the odor of marijuana. A search of the vehicle confirmed the presence of marijuana. The driver failed sobriety tests and was arrested for first-offense OWI. He was booked into the Lincoln County Jail for possession of marijuana, two counts of bail jumping, and operating after revocation.

May 7, 2025

A deputy observed a motorcycle traveling 116 mph in a 45-mph-zone on Joe Snow Rd. in the Town of Scott. Due to safety concerns, the deputy did not pursue the motorcycle. A suspect was later identified, and a deputy made contact with a 16-year-old boy from Merrill. During questioning, he admitted to being the driver. He will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office for second-degree recklessly endangering safety and other traffic citations. He was not taken into custody and was left in the care of his mother.

May 8, 2025
A deputy observed a vehicle speeding at 84 mph in a 65-mph-zone on USH 51 near the 211 MM in the Town of Merrill. The vehicle fled, reaching speeds of 115 mph, leading deputies on a pursuit into Marathon County. The driver, a 37-year-old woman from Wausau, lost control and crashed while attempting to exit at CTH WW. She was trapped and later freed by emergency crews before being transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. The driver had a warrant and was charged with OWI. Once released from the hospital, she was taken to the Lincoln County Jail and issued several traffic citations. Marathon County Sheriff’s Office and Wausau-area Fire and EMS assisted.

Later that day, a deputy observed a vehicle on CTH S near Dean Rd. that crossed the center line several times. The front passenger tire was also blown out. During the stop, the deputy noticed signs of impairment from the driver, a 30-year-old man from Tomahawk. He failed sobriety tests and was arrested for first-offense OWI. He was later released to a responsible party.

May 9, 2025

The Tomahawk Police Department received a complaint of a vehicle doing burnouts in a business parking lot, with the driver and passenger possibly intoxicated. A deputy responded and contacted the driver, a 68-year-old man from Appleton. The driver showed signs of impairment and failed sobriety tests. He was arrested for second-offense OWI. While in the squad car, he threatened the deputy, confirming the threat was intentional. He was booked into the Lincoln County Jail for OWI (2nd offense) and making threats to law enforcement.

Deputies responded to a burglary alarm at the Merrill School Forest. A window to the main lodge was found broken. Video footage identified a suspect. A 66-year-old man from Gurnee, Ill. was located at New Wood Park across the road. He matched the video description and admitted to entering the building to take a shower, claiming he intended to notify law enforcement. He was arrested for burglary and criminal damage to property and booked into the Lincoln County Jail.

A report was received of a vehicle traveling northbound on USH 51 near the 206 MM in the Town of Pine River. The vehicle was reportedly weaving and varying its speed. A deputy stopped a matching vehicle and contacted the driver, a 35-year-old man from New Berlin. The driver had a warrant out of Milwaukee and was taken into custody. A search of the vehicle revealed illegal drugs. A 2-year-old child was also in the vehicle. The driver was booked for felony bail jumping, illegal possession of prescription drugs, possession of cocaine (2nd offense), possession of narcotic drugs, and possession with intent to deliver/manufacture/distribute fentanyl. The child was released to another party.

Deputies made 85 traffic stops, completed 20 security checks, and responded to 3 car vs. deer and 1 car vs. turkey crash.