September 30, 2026 – West Bend, Wi – Over the past month West Bend Police have been investigating a number of fires in the Barton area. Â Incidents are below.
On August 18, 2026 at approximately 1:34 p.m., West Bend officers responded to a vehicle fire in the 500 block of River Drive. Officers located a pickup truck with grass clippings burning in the bed of the truck. While the fire was being extinguished, a neighbor across the street reported the interior of their recycling bin had also been on fire.
Officers subsequently determined attempts had also been made to start fires in two other garbage cans and a mailbox in the neighborhood.
Officers located an 11-year-old boy in the area who admitted to starting the fires.
The investigation also determined the boy was involved in a Dumpster fire in the 1700 block of Barton Avenue on August 17, 2026 and in breaking into a garage while attempting to start a fire on August 13, 2026. Neighbors said the break in at the garage was at St. Mary’s rectory.
The boy was referred to Washington County Juvenile Intake for one count of burglary and five counts of arson.
