Three men who escaped Rock County work release program arrested at Rockford Motel

Online Staff Report

At approximately 2:10 p.m., Friday, June 8, members of the Rockford Police Department responded to the Rockford Motel, 3851 11th St., after being advised by an anonymous source that three inmates who walked away from a work release program at the Rock County, Wisconsin, jail were hiding out in a hotel room. While officers were on the scene, additional information was developed that the fugitives may be armed with firearms.

Officers responded and located four individuals within a hotel room. A search of the room yielded four handguns, and other property that was subsequently determined to be stolen in a residential burglary in DeKalb County.

Follow-up investigation by Rockford city police detectives and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s office resulted in the following arrests:

Nicholas Batzler, 32, arrested on an escape warrant from Rock County, Wisconsin; Winnebago County burglary warrant; Stephenson County burglary warrant; Boone County burglary warrant; McHenry County burglary warrant; DeKalb County burglary warrant; possession of stolen property; and possession of a stolen firearm by a felon.

Brandon Disrud, 24, arrested on an escape warrant from Rock County, Wisconsin; Stephenson County driving revoked warrant; possession of stolen property; and possession of a stolen firearm by a felon.

Brandon Garecht, 23, arrested on an escape warrant from Rock County, Wisconsin; possession of stolen property; and possession of a stolen firearm by a felon.

Posted June 11, 2012