Brian Krieger now in custody; believed responsible for home robbery involving "SafeRide Ron"
Brian Krieger
DODGE COUNTY -- 48-year-old Brian Krieger -- a person of interest in a home robbery that took place in Beaver Dam Tuesday, December 29th -- has been taken into custody on a probation hold.
Authorities say the incident began when Ron Gafner, a driver for Dodge County's SafeRide program was contacted by officials at Tower Lanes, and asked to give a patron a ride home who had too much to drink.
It's something Gafner does often as a SafeRide driver. He has been driving intoxicated patrons home for free for four years.
Tower Lanes
"I can be in a Shopko store and someone will be like 'hey SafeRide Ron,'" Gafner said.
Gafner picked up the man, who has been identified as 48-year-old Brian Krieger, and took him to an address located on Lake Crest Drive.
"It happened during the snowstorm," Gafner said.
It was near white-out conditions as heavy snow fell. Krieger, who said he was from out of town, asked to be driven to an apartment complex.
"SafeRide Ron" Gafner
According to officials, Krieger was unable to make contact with anyone in the building and could not get in. Gafner then took Krieger to a Kwik Trip gas station so he could use the ATM -- but Krieger told Gafner he couldn't get any money.
Gafner then offered to take Krieger anywhere he needed to, but Krieger said he didn't have anywhere else to go.
"It`s 3 in the morning. I don`t want the guy to freeze to death, so I told the guy 'here -- what I`ll do, I`ll let you sleep on my sofa,'" Gafner said.
Gafner didn't know his kindness would cost him.
"I get up at 8:00 a.m. -- TV`s gone. He`s gone, and his blanket is," Gafner said.
Gafner says in addition, a vehicle was taken that is owned by a friend of Gafner who is in assisted living.
Authorities say the key for the stolen vehicle was hanging on a peg just inside the door to Gafner's home.
"I couldn't believe it," Gafner said.
Officials had asked for the public's help in locating Krieger.