Deputies Deploy Less-Lethal During Response to Barricaded Suspect

On April 12, 2026 at 6:49 PM, the Dunn County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call of a female reporting an active domestic violence situation on 1130^th Avenue, Boyceville, in the Township of Hay River.

During response to the scene, deputies learned the male suspect physically assaulted a female inside a residence and then went outside, eventually entering a camper on the property.  The male suspect secured the camper door and refused to exit when deputies arrived, waving a crowbar and threatening officers.

After lengthy negotiation and continued non-compliance, deputies used bean-bag less-lethal rounds to penetrate the RV windows and then deployed non-lethal PepperBall projectiles into the RV, attempting to motivate the suspect to exit and surrender.

Deputies breached the front door of the camper and after deploying additional rounds of non-lethal PepperBall projectiles, the suspect surrendered to deputies and exited without further incident.  The suspect was checked by EMS at the scene prior to transport to the Dunn County Jail.  The suspect was uninjured and no officers were injured in the incident.

The suspect was identified as 59 year-old Dennis Mittelstadt of Boyceville, Wisconsin.  He was arrested and transported to the Dunn County Jail.  Mittelstadt was charged with the following:

-        False Imprisonment (Domestic Related)

-        Disorderly Conduct (Domestic Related)

-        Threat to Cause Bodily Harm to Officer

-        Felony Bail Jumping

Mittelstadt is currently being held at the Dunn County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond.

PepperBall Projectiles reduce risk of injuries and fatalities during encounters with law enforcement.  By providing time and distance, PepperBall allows deputies to address situations from a safer range, reducing the likelihood of physical confrontation and escalated levels of force.  With an emphasis on de-escalation and gaining compliance, PepperBall was built to provide maximum effectiveness and change suspect behavior.

Sheriff Kevin Bygd