Threats to officers lands Mineral Point man in jail

A Mineral Point man was arrested last week after threatening law enforcement officers, going so far as to mention murder.

Sheriff Michael Peterson said that on the afternoon of June 8, officers from the Mineral Point Police Department, Iowa County Sheriff's Office, and Wisconsin State Patrol responded to Clowney Street in the City of Mineral Point for a disturbance. This contact resulted in the arrest of 42-year-old Matthew Rohowetz following a series of threatening and disorderly actions that escalated into a public safety incident.

The incident began at approximately 4:10 PM when Iowa County 911 Center was contacted regarding threatening and profane messages sent by Rohowetz. Responding officers located Rohowetz at a Clowney Street address, where he initially refused to cooperate. Officers were shown a message in which Rohowetz stated an intent to "murder" a member of the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office.

As officers attempted to explain the legal implications of violating bond conditions, Rohowetz fled the scene on foot, ignoring commands to stop. Despite deployment of a Taser, Rohowetz evaded capture temporarily and was ultimately located hiding in the women’s restroom of an establishment on High Street. After refusing initial commands to exit, he eventually surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident at 4:53 PM.

Rohowetz faces the following charges:

• Disorderly Conduct (Wis. Stat. 947.01(1)) – Misdemeanor

• Resisting an Officer (Wis. Stat. 946.41(1)) – Misdemeanor

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Battery or Threat to a Law Enforcement Officer (Wis. Stat. 940.203(2)) – Felony

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Felony Bail Jumping (x5 counts) (Wis. Stat. 946.49(1)(b)) – Felony

Rohowetz remains at the Iowa County Jail awaiting bond hearing.