November 2, 2020
Press Release
OCTOBER 2020 ACTIVITY AND ARREST SUMMARY
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
On October 2, 2020, at approximately 8:52 am, the Mar-Mac Police Department responded to a car vs deer accident on River Street, in McGregor. A 2016 Ford Focus was traveling southbound when a deer ran into the roadway. The vehicle sustained approximately $3,000 in damage.
On October 3, 2020, at approximately 1:32 am, the Mar-Mac Police Department assisted the Prairie du Chien Police Department with a disturbance in the 100 block of South Main Street. Upon the officer’s arrival, a vehicle was observed fleeing the downtown area while being pursued by the Prairie du Chien Police Department. The arriving Mar-Mac Police Officer engaged in the vehicle pursuit. The fleeing vehicle continue west on US Highway 18, toward Marquette, at speeds exceeding 100 mph. Upon entering the city of Marquette, the fleeing vehicle lost control and left the roadway at the intersection of US Highway 18 and Marquette Drive. After the vehicle came to a stop in the ditch, the driver and the passenger fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, the passenger, identified as Donna A. Hrycenko, from Wauconda, Illinois, was arrested. The driver, later identified as Mathew A. Bernat, from Wauconda, Illinois, was not located. Hrycenko was found to have an active Illinois arrest warrant and was transported to the Clayton County Jail and charged with Interference with Official Acts (simple misdemeanor). A complaint and affidavit were filed accusing Bernat of Eluding (serious misdemeanor) and cited for Fail to Maintain Control, Reckless Driving, and No Valid Driver License. Assisting the Mar-Mac and Prairie du Chien Police Departments included the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, the Postville Police Department’s K-9 Unit, Mar-Mac EMS, and Bud’s Repair.
On October 7, 2020, at approximately 4:39 pm, the Mar-Mac Police Department investigated a hit and run accident on West Main Street and Buell Avenue, in McGregor. A 2005 Dodge Durango, driven by James H. Love, from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, was witnessed traveling at a high rate of speed when it collided with a speed limit sign. Love fled the scene and abandoned the vehicle in a city parking along the river. Love was located at a residence in Prairie du Chien. Love was cited for Reckless Driving and Striking Fixtures Upon a Highway.
On October 8, 2020, at approximately 11:23 am, the Mar-Mac Police Department responded to a property damage accident on US Highway 18 and Bloody Run Drive, in Marquette. A 2020 Dodge Ram was stopped preparing to complete a left turn when a 2004 International attempted to pass the Dodge Ram on the shoulder. The International collided with the trailer being towed by the Dodge Ram. David J. Peterson, from Clermont, Iowa, was cited for Unsafe Passing.
On October 10, 2020, at approximately 1:26 am, a Mar-Mac Police Officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling 55 mph in a posted 45 mph speed zone. During their contact, the officer detected and observed signs of impairment, and observed an opened alcoholic beverage in the center console. The driver, Nicholas M. Ciesielski, from Independence, Iowa, participated in the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. At the conclusion of the investigation, Ciesielski was arrested and transported to the Clayton County Jail. A complaint and affidavit was filed accusing Ciesielski of Operating While Intoxicated – 1st Offense (Serious Misdemeanor) and cited for Open Container.
On October 10, 2020, at approximately 10:42 am, the Mar-Mac Police Department investigated a hit and run accident that occurred in the 100 block of Main Street, in McGregor. During the investigation, a 2009 Harley Davidson parked behind a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. Between 9:52 am and 10:07 am, the Jeep Cherokee left. When the owners of the Harley Davidson returned, damage was found on the motorcycle. The Jeep Cherokee was found later in the day and red paint transfer was found on the bike rack being carried by the Jeep Cherokee.
On October 10, 2020, at approximately 1:45 pm, the Mar-Mac Police Department responded to a personal injury acceding involving a motorcycle on River Street, in McGregor, near the Marquette city limits. A 2012 Triumph motorcycle was traveling south when it collided with a 2013 Harley Davidson and a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. The operator of the Triumph motorcycle was transported to a medical facility by Mar-Mac EMS with non-life-threatening injuries. The accident remains under investigation by the Mar-Mac Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol. Assisting on scene include the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, the McGregor Hook and Ladder, and Bud’s Repair.
On October 15, 2020, at approximately 10:43 pm, the Mar-Mac Police Department responded to a business on Anti-Monopoly Street for an intoxicated patron. After contacting the on-premises security officers, the intoxicated party agreed to leave their keys with security and remain in their camper overnight. Later, at approximately 12:45 am, the Mar-Mac Police Department was notified the intoxicated party had left the parking lot in a different vehicle. The vehicle was located. During the officer’s contact, the driver, Greg A. Prehm, from Dubuque, Iowa, displayed signs of impairment. Prehm participated in the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. A complaint and affidavit was filed accusing Prehm of Operating While Intoxicated – 1st Offense (Serious Misdemeanor).
On October 16, 2020, at approximately 6:55 pm, the Mar-Mac Police Department responded to a car vs deer accident on US Highway 18 and Eagle Drive, rural McGregor. A 2017 Toyota Tacoma was traveling east when a deer ran into the roadway. The vehicle sustained approximately $5,000 in damage.
On October 18, 2020, at approximately 11:49 am, the Mar-Mac Police Department investigated a burglary into a motor vehicle on Chicago Street, in Marquette. The incident remains under investigation.
On October 21, 2020, at approximately 5:45 pm, the Mar-Mac Police Department responded to a trespassing complaint on Eagle Drive, in McGregor. A male individual had unlawfully entered the property of another without consent. The male was escorted off the property and warned for trespassing.
On October 22, 2020, at approximately 2:52 pm, the Mar-Mac Police Department responded to a personal injury motor vehicle accident on US Highway 18, at Marquette Drive, in Marquette. A 2020 Dodge Durango was westbound on US Highway 18 approaching the Marquette Drive intersection. The driver, Barton L. Thorpe, from Lynxville, Wisconsin, loss control of his vehicle and collided with a 2017 Ford Explorer that was legally stopped at the stop sign. The Dodge Durango continued off the roadway, entered the northwest ditch, and continued until colliding with the Marquette Depot Museum. Thorpe was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. Assisting on scene included the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office and Mar-Mac EMS.
On October 23, 2020, at approximately 8:36 am, the Mar-Mac Police Department responded to a car vs deer accident on Great River Road, in rural McGregor. A 2013 Ford Edge was traveling northbound when a deer ran into the roadway. The vehicle sustained approximately $5,000 in damage.
Robert Millin, Chief of Police
Mar-Mac Police Department
OCTOBER 2020 STATISTICAL SUMMARY
911 Disconnect – 3
Accidents – 9
Alarms – 1
Assist Other Agencies – 15
Burglary – 1
Check Business/Residence – 3
Check Welfare – 1
Citizen Contact – 1
Civil Matter / Standby – 3
Criminal Mischief – 1
Disabled Vehicle – 3
Dog at Large – 1
Domestic Disturbance – 1
Extra Patrol Request – 1
Fraud/Forgery – 1
Harassment – 1
Juvenile Matter – 2
Noise Complaint – 1
Open Door / Window – 1
Parking Complaint – 1
Psychiatric / Suicidal Person – 1
Public Intoxication / Consumption – 2
Pursuit – 1
Theft – 2
Traffic Complaint – 1
Traffic Hazard/Debris – 4
Traffic Stops – 50
Train Complaint – 1
Trespassing – 2
Underage Possession – 2
Arrests – 6
Complaint and Affidavits – 7
Traffic Citations – 11
Traffic Warning/Equipment Repair Orders – 18
