Man alleged to have threatened Rice Lake police officer

A man is accused of threatening a Rice Lake police officer after two separate reports of him allegedly trying to start a fight with a construction worker, and another of him undressing himself and trying to climb a tree.

Tyler S. Ball, 36, of Rice Lake was charged on Monday in Barron County Circuit Court with threatening a police officer, a felony, and misdemeanors of disorderly conduct and bail jumping.

If convicted of the felony, Ball faces a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine and six years in prison. A cash bond has been set at $500 with stipulations that he have no contact with the construction worker and not consume alcoholic beverages. He returns to court Wednesday.

According to the criminal complaint, Rice Lake police responded to a report on June 28 at approximately 12:28 p.m. of a male subject running after a construction worker and trying to start a fight at the intersection of West Newton Street and Putnam Avenue. The caller said the subject was threatening to shoot the construction workers.

A construction worker, identified as B.D.B., gave police Ball’s identity and said the defendant told him he was going to kick his ass.

Police went to Ball’s residence, but he refused to come to the door, stating that B.D.B. had slapped him and pointed a pistol in his face. He continued to yell, “You have pushed me to the limit I can’t take.” Officers ensured his daughter was OK and ended the contact.

At approximately 1:26 p.m., police received notice of a man on a bike near Reuter Avenue in Rice Lake who was undressing himself and trying to climb a tree. Ball was taken into custody and an odor of intoxicants emanated from him.

As Ball was being transported to Barron County Jail, he made threatening statements toward the police officer.

At the jail Ball attempted to remove all his clothing. While the defendant was being escorted to a cell he stated to the Rice Lake police officer that after he got out he would “Google” him, kill him, and sexually attack his mother.

Ball had signed a $1,000 signature bond in a case filed on June 18 in which he faces two misdemeanors of disorderly conduct, and resisting or obstructing an officer. Stipulations include that he not consume alcohol or commit any crime.