The Prairie du Chien Police Department responded to several incidents this week. On Monday night a Lynxville man was arrested after a traffic stop on South Marquette Road for an equipment violation. After a K9 search of the vehicle, 36 year old Edward D. Strand was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a schedule IV narcotic, possession of drug paraphernalia and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of a Restricted Controlled Substance.
On Tuesday night the Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a registration violation at the intersection of West Parrish Street and South 1st Street. During the traffic stop K9 Phoenix was utilized and alerted to the presence of one or more controlled substances. A search of the driver of the vehicle found a plastic cylinder with a small bag of a crystal substance. The driver admitted that the substance was methamphetamine. 66 year old Larry Engen of McGregor was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of a Restricted Controlled Substance.
Early Wednesday morning the department’s K9 Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 200 block of South Marquette Road for an equipment violation. During the stop Officers could smell a strong odor of marijuana and alcohol coming from inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle and the occupants found that a rear seat passenger was in possession of 30 grams of marijuana and five individual baggies of cocaine with a total weight of 6.43 grams. Open intoxicants were also found inside the vehicle. The driver, 23 year old Kristopher Hanley of Prairie du Chien was arrested and processed for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of a Restricted Controlled Substance and later released. A passenger 37 year old Dustin Hampton of Prairie du Chien was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine. Hampton is currently being held in the Crawford County Jail. Other passengers in the vehicle were also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Also on Wednesday, Police were made aware of a non-fatal gun shot wound that occurred at a residence in the 700 block of North Michigan Street in Prairie du Chien. Officers determined that a 12-year-old male had shot a 13-year-old male causing minor injuries. The shooting occurred several hours before the police were called. The 13-year-old male was transported by private vehicle to La Crosse for medical treatment. There is no threat to the public and details of the events are still under investigation. The 12-year-old was taken into custody and transported to a Juvenile Detention Facility in Stevens Point.
Prairie du Chien Police Chief Kyle Teynor says this case is an obvious reminder that parents should reinforce the four fundamental rules of firearms safety – Treat every firearm as if it is loaded; Always point the muzzle in a safe direction; Be certain of your target and what’s beyond it; and keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. Teynor added that firearms and ammunition should be kept locked and out of reach of children living in your home. The police department provides gun locks free of charge to families or individuals that can use them.