MONROE - A Brodhead man who kept law enforcement in a two-hour standoff when he climbed the city's westside water tower in April faces a felony charge for causing thousands of dollars in damages.
Jason Albert Buttchen, 25, was charged Sept. 19 in Green County Circuit Court with causing $4,874 in damages to radio antennas atop the water tower on West 3rd Avenue at 11th Street. He also faces a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
According to court records, a Brodhead police officer was walking home after his night shift at about 4 a.m. Friday, April 27, when he heard a loud bang from the 145-foot water tower and noticed a person, later identified as Buttchen, standing on top of it and throwing things.
Buttchen eventually climbed down after a two-hour standoff with Green County deputies, Brodhead firefighters, Brodhead EMS and employees from the city's street, water and light departments.
While on top of the water tower, Buttchen reportedly broke, bent or otherwise destroyed radio antennas and threw them to the ground.
After he climbed down, he was transported to Monroe Clinic to detox from alcohol and for a check-up due to his lengthy exposure to the cold early-morning temperatures.
His initial appearance in court is Oct. 8.
- Katjusa Cisar
Jason Albert Buttchen, 25, was charged Sept. 19 in Green County Circuit Court with causing $4,874 in damages to radio antennas atop the water tower on West 3rd Avenue at 11th Street. He also faces a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
According to court records, a Brodhead police officer was walking home after his night shift at about 4 a.m. Friday, April 27, when he heard a loud bang from the 145-foot water tower and noticed a person, later identified as Buttchen, standing on top of it and throwing things.
Buttchen eventually climbed down after a two-hour standoff with Green County deputies, Brodhead firefighters, Brodhead EMS and employees from the city's street, water and light departments.
While on top of the water tower, Buttchen reportedly broke, bent or otherwise destroyed radio antennas and threw them to the ground.
After he climbed down, he was transported to Monroe Clinic to detox from alcohol and for a check-up due to his lengthy exposure to the cold early-morning temperatures.
His initial appearance in court is Oct. 8.
- Katjusa Cisar