MINNEAPOLIS — The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office has launched an internal investigation and it appears an employee has been demoted after his unmarked squad car was found in a ditch near his property in northwestern Wisconsin, according to statements and documents from both Hennepin County and Burnett County, Wisc.
An incident report provided by the Burnett County Sheriff's Office revealed that deputies found a black SUV, registered to Hennepin County CMED (Central Mobile Equipment Division), across the road from the Northwinds Bar in Rusk Township, Wisc. on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 28. Sheriff Tracy Finch said the vehicle was not damaged or reported stolen.
Further investigation by the deputies, according to the incident report, identified Robert Staupe as the driver of the Hennepin County Squad Car. The same incident report noted that Staupe and his wife own property east of the Northwinds bar in Wisconsin; public documents show that property is located just three miles away.
In a Facebook post earlier this summer by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Staupe was referred to as "Major Bob Staupe," but his employment status appears to have changed following last weekend's incident with the squad car.
"Robert Staupe holds the position of Sheriff's Lieutenant in the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office effective October 1, 2019. There is an employment investigation and it is pending," Chief of Staff Rob Allen told KARE 11 in an email.
Staupe has not returned a voicemail or email from KARE 11 seeking comment. He has not been charged with a crime and it is unclear if he has retained an attorney.
In the incident report, a Burnett County deputy reported that he spoke with Staupe a day after his squad car was found in the ditch. Staupe confirmed he was driving the Tahoe, and that "he had been drinking before he put the vehicle in the ditch but that it was not that much," according to the report. Another deputy from Burnett County reported that he found the following in the squad car while at the impound lot: "A bottle of Tito handmade Vodka, pizza box, McDonald bag, orange backpack, black purse, Hennepin County Jacket, bag of Hennepin Sheriff's stars, and in the far back a weed whip the gun locker safe was locked."
The Burnett County Sheriff said Hennepin County planned to retreive the vehicle from impound.
Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson, meanwhile, has declined interview requests. He released a statement confirming he was aware of the incident in northwestern Wisconsin.
"We have launched an internal employment investigation into this incident. Because the matter is under investigation, I hope people understand that I cannot comment any further," Hutchinson said.
