SAWYER COUNTY -- Felony charges have been filed against a Rush City, MN man following an investigation by the Hayward Police Department into allegations of terrorist threats made against the McDonald’s located in Hayward, WI.
Hayward Police Chief Joel Clapero issued a press release regarding the incident on July 20, 2021, when a man called the McDonald’s in Hayward, WI, and made threatening remarks against the business including referring to mass shootings.
Press Release
On Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at approximately 5:51PM, The City of Hayward Police Department received a call from a male subject stating that he had been threatened by another individual in Rush City, Minnesota. The caller stated the threats were made to the McDonald’s in Hayward, Wisconsin and the individual was upset about a previous incident and called his office and threatened the McDonald’s store and its customers.
The caller stated that the individual was extremely upset and agitated. He stated the individual said he was coming to Hayward in the morning and referred to mass shootings and made other threatening comments towards the McDonald's business.
The City of Hayward Police Department in cooperation with the Sawyer County District Attorney’s Office were able to obtain an Arrest Warrant for the individual. The Rush City Police Department and Chisago County Sheriff's Office were contacted and agreed to attempt to locate the suspect. As of approximately 9:00 PM on Wednesday, June 21 the Hayward Police Department was notified the individual was in custody by the Chisago County Sheriff’s Department.
Charges include making Terroristic Threats, Disorderly Conduct and Unlawful use of a Telephone. This is believed to be an isolated incident and there does not appear to be any threat to the Community at large. The City of Hayward Police Department would like to thank the Rush City Police Department, The Chisago County Sheriff’s Department, The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department and the Sawyer County district Attorney’s Office for assisting with this incident.
There is no further information available at this time.
Per Joel P Clapero, Chief of Police, City of Hayward Police Department
A criminal complaint was filed on July 21, 2021, charging Timothy Riemenscheider, of Rush City, MN, with Class I Felony Terrorist Threats; Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct; and Misdemeanor Telephone Harassment.
On July 20, 2021, Riemenscheider called the McDonald’s, stating that his vehicle had sustained damage from a pothole in the McDonald’s drive-through. According to the complaint, Riemenscheider’s insurance claim for nearly $700 was denied by McDonald’s insurance company.
Riemenscheider allegedly made numerous statements during the phone call including, “I have said goodbye to my wife and kids, I have been arrested before, they have seen it happen. I cannot take it anymore, and you know how mass shootings happen. You will see it on the news tomorrow, there will be helicopters. I can't afford another $500. How much does f**king McDonald's make every year, I cannot afford this." The criminal complaint goes on to say that the call was put on speakerphone and was heard by multiple people.
Hayward Police Department reviewed records and located a crash report from June 20, 2021, in which an officer for the department had contact with Riemenscheider regarding damage to his vehicle in the McDonald’s drive-through.
A warrant for Riemenscheider’s arrest was obtained, and the Rush City Police Department and the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office located Riemenscheider and took him into custody.
At the time of this post, online circuit court records do not show a scheduled court appearance for Riemenscheider.
Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Last Update: Jul 25, 2021 12:11 am CDT
