A snowmobile was stolen from a residence at 1003 Sixth Ave.

Wednesday, February 21, 2001

A snowmobile was stolen from a residence at 1003 Sixth Ave. NW in Austin some time between 9 p.m. on Feb. 19 and 10 a.m. on Feb. 20.

Jeremy Rummel reported that he parked his snowmobile outside of his garage the night of Feb. 19 and did not notice it missing when he left for work at 3 a.m., because his car was parked along the street. When he returned from work at 10 a.m. on Feb. 20, he realized the snowmobile was missing.

Valued at $5,600, the snowmobile was a red 2000 Polaris 600XC, with "Power MADD Racing" printed on both the side and the hood.

No suspects have been named.

Stereo equipment stolen from car

Someone broke the front passenger window of a vehicle parked outside of Wangen Automotive and owned by David Yerhart, and stole a number of items. Missing items include an amplifier, connectors, 48 CDs and a cell phone adapter.

Damage to the window is estimated at $300. Total loss is valued at $1,950.

No suspects have been named.

Blade stolen from Suess Auction

An LMC-brand blade for a tractor was stolen from Suess Auction in Racine sometime between Feb. 16 and 19.

The blade is valued at $250. No suspects have been named.

Son arrested for allegedly holding mother hostage

Joshua Olson, 21, of Austin was arrested by the Austin Police Department at 11:27 a.m. on Feb. 19 for holding his mother hostage for two days. Janice Olson was able to alert her father, Glen Schumacher, of her situation when he visited her on that same day at her home at 808 First Dr. NW.

Janice has an order for protection against Joshua, but he kicked at her door, splitting the wood, at 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 and demanded to be let in. After letting him in, he threatened her with a large kitchen knife and then threatened suicide.

Janice told police he took her phone and forced her to drive him around town to look for jobs.

Joshua Olson is now charged with felony false imprisonment, gross misdemeanor violation of an OFP, fifth-degree assault and criminal damage to property for the split door.

Two fires in Lyle

David Brechtel reported a fire at his residence at 309 Nelson Ave. in Lyle at 8:05 p.m. on Feb. 18. After an investigation, Lyle fire officials determined the fire was most likely set by two juveniles, 7 and 9, who were using the deck of Brechtel’s trailer as a fort.

One of the juveniles said he was lighting a match to play with firecrackers and burned his fingers. He then threw the match to the ground, covered it with snow and ran off. It is believed this match started the fire.

A second fire, at 301 First St. in Lyle, next to the Cenex, was started by a wood-burning stove, fire officials believe. It was reported at 9:20 a.m. on Feb. 19.

Justin Tieman has a wood shop at that address and heated it with the stove. When he checked on the shop after 9 a.m., he noticed smoke coming from the sides of the stove. When the Lyle Fire Department arrived, the building was engulfed in smoke and flames.

Cenex was evacuated due to the smoke. The building was a total loss.