CAMPBELL, Wis. (WFRV) – Two convicted felons from western Wisconsin who were reportedly involved in a ‘string of thefts’ were arrested after a traffic stop found alleged stolen merchandise, meth, and a loaded gun.
According to the Campbell Police Department, a vehicle that was recently involved in a string of thefts in southwestern Wisconsin was spotted by Onalaska Police Officers in a Walmart parking lot around midnight on March 7.
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Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and talked with the driver, 40-year-old Austin Rieks, and his passenger, 41-year-old Carli Wittenberg. During the stop, it was discovered that Rieks and Wittenberg had allegedly just left a Walmart with stolen merchandise.
Austin Rieks (Campbell Police Department)
Carli Wittenberg (Campbell Police Department)
K9 River (Campbell Police Department)
A K9 was called in and it alerted to the odor of narcotics, leading to a search of the vehicle. During the search, officers reportedly found the stolen merchandise, drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine, and a loaded gun.
Officers say that Rieks and Wittenberg, who are both from La Crosse, are convicted felons, which disallows them from possessing firearms.
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Both were booked into the La Crosse County Jail on the following charges:
- Austin Rieks
- Operating While Revoked
- Bail Jumping
- Retail Theft
- Possession of Firearm by Felon
- Probation Violation
- Carli Wittenberg
- Retail Theft
- Possess Drug Paraphernalia
No additional information was provided.
