Austin man had skirted jail since Saturday

Wisconsin authorities found Loren Bellrichard Wednesday morning, an Austin man who was supposed to return to the Mower County jail Saturday night after he received a two-day furlough to attend his mother’s funeral.

Police officers in Alma, Wis., about 95 miles from Austin, arrested Bellrichard at about 10 a.m. Wednesday. Mower County Sheriff Terse Amazi said Bellrichard received a ride from someone to Winona. From there, he crossed the border into Wisconsin. Bellrichard was cooperative when officers arrested him, Amazi added.

Bellrichard, 67, was charged in September for allegedly stalking a 16-year-old Austin girl. He was previously released on bail but violated the terms of his release when he contacted the victim and went back to the Mower County jail earlier this month, according to Mower County Attorney Kristen Nelsen.

He faces three felony charges for stalking a victim younger than 18.

Bellrichard was sentenced to prison time in 1991 for threatening public officials and served more time after sending more threatening letters while in prison.

Now Bellrichard is expected to face additional felony charges for not returning to jail. Nelsen earlier this week said anyone who aided Bellrichard could also face charges.