Bartholomew Baumann : “Wanted Beloit Man Search in Marathon County – Complaint Details Revealed”

WAUSAU − A 35-year-old man from Beloit, Bartholomew D. Baumann, found himself in hot water after leading Marathon County officers on a two-day search and using a gun to intimidate a man into giving him gas for his car, as per officials.

Baumann is facing multiple charges, including second-degree endangering safety, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, fleeing an officer, trespass to a dwelling, criminal damage to property, and resisting an officer. Marathon County Circuit Judge Gregory Strasser set a $75,000 cash bail for Baumann during a court appearance on Tuesday, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 17.

According to the criminal complaint, a caller reported a man brandishing a gun at a garage in the Marathon County town of Eau Pleine on July 6 at 11:32 a.m.

The victim recounted that on the same day, at around 11 a.m., while he was working on his car, a red Ford Fusion pulled into his driveway, and a man, later identified as Baumann, approached him asking for gas. Initially denying having any, the victim noticed Baumann fidgeting with something in his waistband, which turned out to be a gun. Fearing for his safety, the victim offered to check for gas.

Inside his workshop, the victim watched as Baumann continuously played with the gun, pointing it at him and claiming it was loaded. Despite feeling nervous, the victim managed to siphon a gallon of gas from a motorcycle for Baumann, who kept displaying the weapon even after the victim asked him to stop due to his daughter and mother being in the house.

Baumann, known for his erratic behavior, even joked about kidnapping the victim and expressed surprise at the bullet holes in his car, insinuating that he could have been shot. The victim, trying to de-escalate the situation, tried to befriend Baumann.

Following the incident, officers were able to identify Baumann and track him down to a cabin in the woods near Kingswood Lane. Despite efforts by the Small Weapons and Tactical Team to apprehend him, Baumann managed to flee in his car down a trail behind the cabin.

Multiple sightings of Baumann in the same area were reported in the early hours of July 8, leading deputies to a home on Kingswood Lane where Baumann was captured on surveillance footage. A foot pursuit ensued, with deputies arresting Baumann after a half-mile chase in the woods.

For further inquiries, contact Karen Madden at 715-345-2245 or kmadden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715, or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33