Update: Vernon County Sheriff reports arrest in Hillsboro area burglary case

ONTARIO, Wis. – According to Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson the Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in a Hillsboro area burglary case. The Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of Randy Lee Harmel, 43, of rural Ontario, as a result of the ongoing burglary investigation
that began on Thursday morning, June 6.

Sheriff Torgerson reports that Harmel was taken into custody just before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, in rural Ontario in Monroe County. Property missing from the building on Kraemer Road, in rural Hillsboro, Wis. was also recovered on Saturday, in rural Ontario. Harmel was booked into the Vernon County Detention Center for Burglary, Criminal Damage to Property, Theft, and a Probation Viola on formal charges, to include being charged as a Repeater for Habitual Criminality are being sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher.

Sheriff Torgerson states he credits the arrest and recovery of stolen property to the hard work, diligence, and determination put forth by the staff of the Sheriff’s Office and information and support from the community that resulted in a timely resolution of this case. Sheriff Torgerson went on to express appreciation to Sheriff Andrew Zobal, the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Wes Revels, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.

The investigation continues by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.

Previous story – June 8, 2025

HILLSBORO, Wis. – Not a lot of detail is being released other than security photos and a location but the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office said in a public statement they need the public’s help in identifying a suspect in a burglary case. Sheriff’s Office says the incident occurred very early in the morning on Thursday, June 6, on Kraemer Road in the town of Hillsboro.

The Sheriff’s Office asks that If you have any information, please contact them at 608-637-2123 or Vernon Co Crime Stoppers at 608-637-TIPS (8477).

Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson said “We could not do what we do without the amazing support of our community.”