Oct. 11, 2025
READSTOWN, Wis. — Vernon County authorities arrested a Readstown man early Friday morning in connection with a vehicle theft and subsequent crash in neighboring Richland County.
Sheriff Roy Torgerson reported that at approximately 1 a.m. on Oct. 10, the Vernon County 911 Communications Center received a report of a stolen vehicle from the 500 block of South Maiben Street in Readstown. Less than an hour later, Richland County deputies responded to a crash involving a vehicle west of Richland Center. Investigators from both counties quickly determined the incidents were related.
Richard Dean Heal, 55, of Readstown, was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail. He appeared via Zoom in Vernon County Circuit Court Friday afternoon, where Judge Timothy J. Gaskell set bond at $10,000 cash. Heal is scheduled for an initial appearance at 9 a.m. Oct. 28.
Formal charges are pending through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher and Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper. In addition to vehicle theft and impaired driving, authorities are recommending bail jumping charges, citing Heal’s existing bonds in eight court cases across Vernon, Crawford and Sauk counties.
Sheriff Torgerson praised the collaboration with Richland County Sheriff Clay Porter’s office, calling the joint response “an example of outstanding teamwork in service of the great communities we are blessed to serve.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 608-637-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.p3tips.com.
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