Tim Ryan, tryan@shawanoleader.com
Calvin K. Ossmann
A Leopolis man who went on a weekend crime spree and evaded authorities for nearly three weeks made an initial court appearance Friday after being captured the night before.
Calvin K. Ossmann, 26, was found Thursday in a town of Richmond barn where he had apparently been hiding since eluding authorities in a high-speed chase and escaping on foot Aug. 3.
The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department received a call shortly after 6 p.m. from someone who spotted Ossmann on a bicycle turning onto to the farm property.
Authorities said there was no farm house or anyone living on the property, but the downstairs portion of the two-level dairy barn was used for a couple of hours daily, during which time it’s assumed Ossmann hid in the upper portion.
Authorities also said Ossmann was found with supplies that he was living on.
Shawano-Menominee County Assistant District Attorney Catharine White told the court Friday that Ossmann had been hiding in the barn for several weeks and had a history of failing to appear for court dates in prior cases. She also noted previous criminal convictions for trespassing, criminal damage to property, resisting arrest and theft by false representation.
White asked the court for a cash bond equal to the amounts of the multiple warrants issued for his arrest. That came to $11,500, which is what Judge James Habeck ultimately imposed.
Defense attorney Ron Haacke unsuccessfully argued for a $1,000 bond, saying Ossmann didn’t leave the area while he was in hiding.
“I don’t think he would want to go anyplace else,” Haacke said.
Ossmann is scheduled for an adjourned initial court appearance Sept. 2.
He is facing numerous felony charges in a string of crimes allegedly committed over the course of Aug. 1-3, including burglary, three counts of vehicle theft and fleeing an officer.
Ossmann is accused of stealing two semi-tractors, one of which he allegedly abandoned, and a car that he allegedly drove around on a property, causing some damage.
He is also accused of breaking into a residence in Pella and stealing a pair of pants that had car keys, a wallet and $40 in its pockets.
Ossmann led authorities on a high speed chase in one of the stolen semi-tractors on Aug. 3, according to a criminal complaint. He backed the vehicle into a Shawano County sheriff’s squad twice before eventually crashing the semi and escaping on foot.
An aerial search and a ground search with multiple K-9 units was interrupted by rain and failed to locate him.
Ossmann could face a maximum 12 1/2 years in prison and $25,000 fine if found guilty of the burglary charge.
The three felony counts of operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent each normally carries a maximum possible penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine, but the penalty could be enhanced because of previous convictions.
Ossmann also faces a possible maximum of 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of fleeing an officer.
He is also charged with five misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property, as well as resisting an officer and disorderly conduct.