Charges requested against four individuals for thefts, drugs
Over the last three weeks, the Prairie du Chien Police Department has received many reports relating to stolen bicycles, thefts from vehicles, thefts of firearms, a burglary and stolen vehicles. During this lengthy investigation, numerous agencies were as various communities have been victimized. Agencies that have also had to deal with these acts through the last few weeks are Clayton County (Iowa), Allamakee County (Iowa), and Crawford County sheriff’s departments along with the La Crosse, Onalaska, West Salem, Holmen, and Town of Campbell police departments.
As a result of this investigation, the Prairie du Chien Police Department conducted three separate search warrants. On Nov. 2, the La Crosse Police Department and Town of Campbell Police Department assisted the Prairie du Chien Police in executing a warrant at 902 Caledonia St. in La Crosse. Items of controlled substances, drug paraphernalia and stolen items were seized as a result of this warrant.
On Nov. 6, two additional search warrants were conducted in Prairie du Chien with assistance from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department. The first residence searched was at 119 N. Prairie St. As a result of that search warrant, investigators located a stolen firearm, drug paraphernalia, countless stolen bicycles and bicycle parts, chain saws, power tools, an air compressor and other miscellaneous items.
The third search warrant was executed at 37236 Sand Burr Ln. in Bridgeport Township. Items seized at this residence were stolen bicycles, bicycle parts, tools, debit/credit cards, burglarious tools, vehicle keys from reported stolen vehicles, check books, clothing, drug paraphernalia, heroin and methamphetamine.
These warrants were supported by the gathering of video evidence, physical evidence and witness statements. As investigators continued to gather information, it is suspected that these individuals were under the influence of controlled substances while conducting these crimes.
Suspects identified were Christopher L. Marshall, 41, of Prairie du Chien; Bryce A. Benson, 24, of La Crosse; Emily J. Eastman, 22, of Prairie du Chien; and Tyler D. Peregrin, 22, of La Crosse.
The following charges will be requested through the Crawford County District Attorney’s Office:
•Christopher Marshall: felon in possession of a firearm, felony bailjumping, burglary, possession of burglarious tools, possession of stolen property, numerous counts of theft and one count of mistreatment of animals.
•Bryce Benson: four counts of operating a vehicle without owner’s consent, 11 counts of theft, possession of stolen property, felony bailjumping, burglary and theft of a firearm.
•Tyler Peregrin: 11 counts of theft, possession of stolen property, felony bailjumping and five counts of passenger in a stolen vehicle.
•Emily Eastman is being charged with possession of methamphetamine, party to a crime–theft, and passenger in a stolen vehicle.
Eastman was released on Bond through the Crawford County Circuit Court where Marshall, Benson and Peregrin are currently being held in the Crawford County Jail.
These crimes have left many residents on edge about the community’s safety. These arrests were possible through countless hours of tedious work and cooperation with many law enforcement agencies. These search warrants are just the beginning of a process to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable.
The investigation is still ongoing and additional charges may occur.
