On Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 1:12 a.m. a Prairie du Chien Police Officer observed suspicious activity of a vehicle in a parking lot of a local gas station. The driver of the vehicle refused to cooperate and provide identification to the officer. During this encounter, one of the Prairie du Chien Police K-9 Units arrived. K-9 Sheisty was deployed to conduct a free open air sniff of the exterior of the vehicle which resulted in a positive indication of one or more controlled substances that K-9 Sheisty has been trained and certified to detect.
A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, personal documents not belonging to the driver and passenger, used syringes, cell phones, weapons, and other stolen items.
Officers were eventually able to identify the driver and passenger with the assistance of the Crawford County Communications Center, as the driver and passenger provided false names, one of which was known to be armed and dangerous.
The driver, Nathaniel D. Bachelder, 43, of Rose Creek, MN, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting/Obstructing an Officer, Unauthorized Use of an Entity’s Identifying Information or Documents, and for multiple felony warrants.
The passenger, Lori B. Castro, 33, of Albert Lea, MN, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Bachelder and Castro were transported to the Crawford County Jail where they are currently being housed for a bond/extradition hearing.
The vehicle was removed by Milo’s Towing.
This is an open investigation with multiple jurisdictions from Iowa and Minnesota who are seeking justice. Additional criminal charges may result.