Woman Calls Cops On Her Black Neighbor; Thinks He's An Intruder

MONONA, WI — Police in the city of Monona issued a public apology after arresting a black man at gunpoint inside the home he told police he was renting. A neighbor called police, insisting he was an intruder, police said.

Now, the man who was arrested and his fellow renter have filed a formal complaint against officers over the Tuesday morning incident.

According to police, a woman living on the 5100 block of Arrowhead Drive in Monona called 911 just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, saying "someone was at her neighbors home that she did not believe should be there."

Police said the woman told dispatchers that the previous person who lived next door passed away, and the home had been vacant.

Authorities said the woman told dispatchers that the person sitting in the front of the house next door was African American, however that was not conveyed to the responding officers.

According to Monona police, when officers arrived at the home, they found the front door unlocked. They knocked and announced their presence. Officers reported hearing someone talking inside, but nobody came to greet them.

Monona Police Chief Walter J. Ostrenga said officers at the door followed protocol, believing they may be witnessing a burglary.

According to police, officers entered the house with guns drawn, and immediately saw a 23-year-old black man inside. He was placed in handcuffs while they investigated.

When police questioned the man over what he was doing in the house, the man explained he was renting the house from the son of the recently-deceased owner, Ostrenga said.

Police said officers reached out to the homeowner’s son by phone. The homeowner's son told police that he was familiar with the man who was arrested.

Given the circumstances, Ostrenga said they removed handcuffs and apologized for the misunderstanding.

According to police, it wasn't too much later before the renter came to the Monona Police Department and filed a formal complaint. One of the officers involved met with them and again apologized, Ostrenga said.

"The Monona Police Department is committed to creating an environment of trust and empathy in all our interactions between the public and our peace officers. This complaint will be thoroughly investigated," Ostrenga said in a statement.