A Royalton man’s fight with his girlfriend escalated from misdemeanors to a felony charge when the police responded to a 911 call.
Alexander J. Togstad, 31, is charged with attempted battery of two officers, resisting an officer, misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct.
Shortly before midnight Saturday, Aug. 15, Waupaca County Deputies Chad Repinski and Jon Loken and Weyawuga Police Cpl. Adam Rogge were dispatched to a domestic disturbance on Butternut Road in the town of Royalton.
A woman had called 911 to report that her boyfriend had punched her, damaged her car and fled on foot.
Rogge arrived first and spoke with the woman. She complained of neck pain and requested an ambulance.
According to the criminal complaint, the woman told police she had been home in New London when Togstad’s cousin called, said Togstad was drunk at their apartment in Weyauwega and asked her to come get him.
When she arrived at the apartment, she woke up Togstad and drove him to his home in Royalton.
The two began arguing on the way there, and when they came to Togstad’s home, the woman told him to get out of the car.
When Togstad refused, she exited the car, walked around to the passenger’s side, opened the door and slapped him while trying to pull him out, the complaint says.
Togstad then allegedly jumped out of the car, chased the woman, grabbed her by her hair, pulled her to the ground and punched her in the back of the head.
The girlfriend told police she was able to get away and run to the nearby home of Togstad’s mother.
While Repinksi interviewed the girlfriend, Rogge and Loken went to Togstad’s home, where they saw him inside, sleeping on the couch.
Togstad came to the door when they knocked. He reportedly had red, watery eyes and difficulty maintaining his balance.
When Loken told Togstad they were taking him into custody, Togstad took a swing at Loken, the complaint says. The officers responded by wrestling him to the ground.
In the process of arresting Togstad, both officers reported suffering minor injuries.