Winfield Burglary

**Special News Release**

April 18, 2011

On April 17, 2011, Rita J Offerdahl, age 20, of Muscoda, WI was arrested by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department. Offerdahl was charged with Burglary, Disorderly Conduct, and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated.

During the early morning hours on April 17, 2011, Offerdahl entered a residence on
CTH K, in the Township of Winfield, without the owner’s consent. The owners were awakened by their dogs. Upon inspection, the homeowners discovered Offerdahl in their residence. The owners were not familiar with Offerdahl. Offerdahl stated to the homeowners she was not sure where she was. Offerdahl started using vulgar language towards the homeowners and they contacted the Sheriff’s Department.

Upon Deputies arrival at the residence it was discovered that Offerdahl had placed several property items of the homeowners in her purse. The items included a personal check that Offerdahl had written out to herself and a set of car keys. The homeowners also discovered their garage door open and lights on. Inside their vehicle, which was parked in the garage, they found Offerdahl's purse along with additional items removed from the residence.

Deputies observed a vehicle belonging to Offerdahl in the owner’s yard with a flat tire. Offerdahl told deputies she was driving her vehicle when she had a flat tire and she had knocked on the homeowner’s door for assistance.

If convicted, Offerdahl could receive an imprisonment of 15 years and 3 months and a fine of $51, 000 or both.

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Sheriff Chip Meister