'Dating app predator' Timothy Olson taken into custody in Franklin
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FRANKLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Timothy Olson, who was wanted for committing crimes in several communities, and who is tied to a recent death investigation, is now in police custody after weeks on the run.
Franklin police arrested Olson Tuesday morning after an officer spotted him on the road.
In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, officers said Olson was seen pushing a bike near 35th and Rawson around 10:15 a.m. When officers approached, he fled into a nearby condominium complex. After a brief struggle and the use of a Taser, he was taken into custody.
Right now, Olson is being held in Milwaukee while investigators from the Franklin Police Department, Racine Police Department, and South Milwaukee Police Department question him about several alleged crimes.
Franklin Police Chief Rick Oliva said, "There's no doubt this person would continue to do what he did until caught."
Over the past few months, authorities allege Olson scammed several women, three fell unconscious while with him, and last week he kidnapped a 79-year-old woman.
Franklin police said Olson will be charged with kidnapping, identity theft, and burglary for the incident that occurred on Nov. 23. They say Olson approached the woman while she was having drinks at a local restaurant and offered to buy her a drink. She declined and left the restaurant. Olson allegedly followed her to the parking lot, threatened her by saying he had a gun, then held her in her car for a number of hours.
Authorities say he took one of her credit cards and withdrew cash.
That woman is ok, though shaken.
Oliva said, "Today we made an all-out effort to search the city, and fortunately one of our officers was very observant and saw him."
That kidnapping is the latest in a string of incidents:
- Starting in September, Racine police said Olson stole from women he met on dating apps.
- In November, they said at least three women had fallen unconscious while with Olson.
- Then last week, one of those women -Kim Mikulance, who friends called Raina Reighns- died after she fell unconscious while with Olson. Olson was named a person of interest.
Olson was seen several times after police announced they wanted him.
Last week, he went to a Franklin burger restaurant. A hostess said he wore sunglasses at night and unscrewed the lightbulb in his corner booth, raising suspicions. He left at closing without paying.
Then Monday afternoon, Olson went to a Franklin sandwich shop. The manager said he acted very suspiciously. Olson borrowed an employee's phone and made several calls, then left after about 40 minutes. Police arrived minutes later. The shop turned over security video and the phone numbers he called.
Oliva said Olson was also involved in two burglaries Tuesday just before the arrest.
He added there could be other victims. "Hopefully, now that he's in custody, if there are victims, they're more likely to call their local departments and report that."
Oliva would not say if Olson is cooperating with investigators, only saying he has given them a statement while in custody.
Oliva said the district attorney will file charges in the Franklin case in the coming days. But the Racine and South Milwaukee cases could take longer because there is more evidence to process.
Published: 9:19 a.m. on Nov. 29, 2022
FRANKLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Franklin Police Department took to social media to confirm that Timothy Olson was seen on Monday night, as the quest continues to apprehend him.
Olson is a 52-year-old man wanted for allegedly victimizing women he meets online and through dating apps. He is described as being 6'3" tall, and weighing around 200 lbs.
Last week, 55-year-old Kim Mikulance died after falling unconscious in the presence of Olson in South Milwaukee. Police have since called him a person of interest.
U.S. Marshals, the Racine Police Department and the Mount Pleasant Police Department have also been on the lookout for Olson.
Franklin PD advises anyone who sees Olson to call 911.