December 22, 2015 at 12:27 p.m.
Two men expected to face charges related to hodag statue vandalism
Police say Henk did not voluntarily turn himself in
Two men expected to face charges related to hodag statue vandalism
By By River News Staff-
The department announced Tuesday it will refer Jordan G. Henk, 27, of Rhinelander and Evan R. Christiansen, 31, of Madison to the district attorney's office on theft and criminal damage to property charges.
According to online court records, no charges have been filed as of noon Tuesday.
Chamber officials noticed last Wednesday morning that four claws had been broken off the statue which stands as a sentry welcoming visitors to Rhinelander.
"It was fine when we closed up, so (the vandalism occurred) sometime over the evening," Bill Clow, the chamber's executive director, told the River News last week.
Other local media reported Monday that Henk had confessed via a social media account and had voluntarily turned himself in.
Rhinelander Police Captain Ron Lueneburg told the River News Tuesday it is inaccurate to characterize Henk's behavior as voluntary.
"It's my understanding that Jordan Henk had posted on his Facebook page that he willingly turned himself in to law enforcement last Friday, which would have been Dec. 18," Lueneburg said. "That is not accurate. Our detective made numerous attempt to contact Jordan and it wasn't until after a lot of attempted calls and contact with Jordan that he finally agreed to come in and sit down with law enforcement. He did not freely turn himself in of his own volition without law enforcement asking him to do so."
Lueneburg said the department has been investigating the vandalism since it was reported.
"During the course of the investigation Rhinelander Police Detective Brian Zohimsky received information from a community member and conducted follow-up," the department explained in a press release. "Eventually, Det. Zohimsky was able to identify a residence where a possible suspect was known to reside. Upon Zohimsky's arrival at the residence, he subsequently knocked on the front door to make contact with the tenants. While knocking, the door opened without a tenant responding or opening the door. At this time, in plain view, Det. Zohimsky observed what he believed was a claw from the Hodag Statue. Det. Zohimsky then closed the door and worked to establish contact with one of the known tenants. Subsequently, one of the tenants arrived, the claw was retrieved and more information was gathered. Upon identifying one of the persons involved, Jordan G. Henk, Det. Zohimsky made numerous attempts to contact him with no response. Once Henk learned about possible charges and having to pay restitution, he contacted Det. Zohimsky."
In an interview with Det. Zohimsky, Henk admitted to using marijuana, consuming alcohol and subsequently damaging the statue and stealing the claws, Lueneburg said. He told police another person, Evan R. Christiansen, was also involved, the release states.
"Christiansen, when interviewed after numerous attempts to contact him, admitted to marijuana and alcohol use as well, along with damage to the statue," the department said. "After being interviewed by law enforcement, both parties have cooperated and admitted to their involvement."
The statue has been the victim of vandalism before.
The last time the hodag was vandalized was in 2012 when it was spray-painted with graffiti and a claw was removed.
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