Douglas County warrant round up targets include 93-year-old woman, 95-year-old man

When local law enforcement officers begin a warrant round-up this month, two people in their 90s will be on the list. A scan through the bench and arrest warrants posted on the Douglas County website revealed a man with a 1917 birthdate and a female suspect who was born in 1919.

Jeane B. Olson, whose address is listed as Anoka, Minn., is being sought for failing to make her initial appearance in court on March 3, 1986. She is accused of stealing $80.99 worth of jewelry and underwear from Prange Store, a misdemeanor. Olson’s birthdate, according to the arrest warrant, is March 18, 1919. That would make her 93.

Raymond O. Artis, 95, was accused of attempted first degree murder in 1981. According to the criminal complaint: Artis threatened his wife, from whom he was separated, with a knife. After causing a wound to her wrist, he hit her on the head with a club. She was able to escape into the backyard, which was well-lit. She began screaming and scared Artis off. An arrest warrant was issued Nov. 9, 1981 for Artis, but he was never arrested, according to court records. A Superior address was listed on the criminal complaint. The warrant gave Artis’ birthdate as Aug. 14, 1917. Staff at the Douglas County Clerk of Courts Office indicated they are trying to verify if Artis is still alive.

The case and suspect may be old, but the warrant remains active. Douglas County District Attorney Dan Blank filed a notice in 1992 opposing dismissal of the complaint and warrant against Artis because the charge is a very serious criminal offense “for which the State feels an obligation to prosecute regardless of remoteness of time.”

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department and Superior Police Department are teaming up to crack down on the county’s nearly 3,500 outstanding warrants, beginning this month. All warrants are posted at www.douglascountywi.org under both the clerk of courts and sheriff’s department tabs.

People with an outstanding capias or commitment warrant can contact the Clerk of Courts office at 715-395-1499 or stop by the office in Room 309 of the Douglas County Courthouse, 1313 Belknap St., to pay off the fine or work out a payment arrangement.

According to the clerk of courts office, anyone with a bench or arrest warrant should contact the district attorney’s office, 715-395-1218, or stop by room 201 of the courthouse building, to set up a new court date.

Tags: crime and courts, news, money, superior