Sparta police release name, photo of suspect
SPARTA, Wis. (WKBT) — Sparta Police Department released a name and photo of the wanted suspect in the graduation threat investigation.
Police are looking for Benjamin M. Sidie of Osceola, Iowa. Sidie is 5’10” and about 290 lbs.
He is also wanted on a previous warrant from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
His last known address is in Osceola, but he is known to work in the Des Moines area.
Sparta police warn that he is considered armed and dangerous, and should not be approached if seen.
If you see Sidie, call 911 or contact the Sparta Police Department at (608) 269-6333 or (608) 269-8712.
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Friday’s Sparta High School commencement ceremony was postponed due to what the school district called “a direct safety threat”
According to a Facebook post made Saturday morning by the Sparta Police Department, the suspect is male, made multiple threats by text message and has access to firearms. The post also says the suspect threatened to create a “suicide by cop” situation and kill his estranged family members.
The police say the suspect was most likely not in the state when the threats were made but was believed to be in driving distance of Sparta.
Sparta police are working with other law enforcement agencies to locate the suspect.
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