FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                

Media Contact: Chief Dan Meyer

Phone: (262) 473-1371

Email: dmeyer@whitewater-wi.gov       

Whitewater Police Arrest Suspects Who Brandished Weapons in Local Tavern

Whitewater, WI – August 25^th, 2026 - On Saturday, August 22, 2026, at approximately 1:46am, Whitewater Police Officers responded to the Mad Boar Pub, located at 123 W. Center St., for multiple reports of a male who had brandished what was believed to be a firearm.

Upon arrival, officers located Romairo V. Bartolon Verdugo, 25, of Whitewater, to be actively involved in a physical altercation with bar staff. Bartolon Verdugo was taken into custody and found to be in possession of an all-black BB gun designed to resemble a handgun.

During the investigation, officers learned that Bartolon Verdugo had been accompanied by another male, identified as Juan C. Gonzalez Ramirez, 28, of Whitewater, who had reportedly displayed a knife toward a tavern employee before fleeing the establishment prior to officers' arrival.

Through witness interviews and further investigation, officers learned that Bartolon Verdugo had been sleeping inside the bar. When the employee attempted to wake him, Gonzalez Ramirez confronted him while wielding a knife. The employee and Gonzalez Ramirez struggled over control of the knife. During the altercation, Bartolon Verdugo retrieved a black handgun-style BB gun from his waistband and pointed it at the employee. The employee was able to restrain Bartolon Verdugo and maintain control of him until Whitewater Police officers arrived.

Officers subsequently identified Gonzalez Ramirez and located him at his residence. Gonzalez Ramirez was taken into custody following the execution of a search warrant. As a result, Gonzalez Ramirez was arrested and confined in the Walworth County Jail on the following charges:

• 1^st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety

• Disorderly Conduct While Armed

Additionally, Bartolon Verdugo was arrested and confined in the Walworth County Jail on the following charges:

• 2^nd Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety

• Disorderly Conduct While Armed

• Possession of THC

• Misdemeanor Bail Jumping

The Whitewater Police Department would like to thank the tavern employees and members of the public who provided valuable information during the investigation and helped ensure the individuals involved were safely taken into custody.