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Milwaukee County jury convicts man of ‘dating app predator’ crimes

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Milwaukee County jury convicts man of ‘dating app predator’ crimes


A Milwaukee County jury found a Racine man guilty of kidnapping a 79-year-old Franklin woman and various crimes against other women that earned him the moniker the “dating app predator.”

The jury deliberated for just under an hour on March 14 before reaching guilty verdicts against Timothy Olson.

The jury convicted him on five counts: felony kidnapping, two felony charges of burglary, one felony charge of using personal identifying information and one charge of misdemeanor obstruction.

Olson, 55, acted as his own lawyer and continuously sparred with Circuit Court Judge Kristy Yang since the trial got underway March 11.

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Throughout the five-day trial, Olson repeatedly interrupted the judge and tried to testify or talk with witnesses while they were on the stand.

In one instance, Olson appeared to have some kind of medical episode that prompted early dismissal of the jury.

Olson had to be removed from the court several times in 15-minute intervals for violating the rules of decorum, prolonging the trial.

Olson was arrested Nov. 29, 2022, several days after police found an elderly woman near South 108th Street and West Beloit Road, frantically waving her hands inside a white Honda Accord with its flashers on.

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She told the officers she had been abducted, and that she managed to escape. She told police a man took her phone and credit cards.

Racine Police had issued warnings about Olson, saying he is linked to three women who fell unconscious in his presence at a bar.

Before the jury started its deliberation, Olson attempted to file a mistrial motion. Previously, he had argued that Assistant District Attorney Sara Sadowski and the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office had not fully turned over evidence to him during discovery and that what was given to him was redacted.

Some of the missing evidence, Olson claimed, was exculpatory and could prove his innocence.

A sentencing hearing and a motion hearing were scheduled for March 17.

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While Olson represented himself at trial, Milwaukee lawyer John Thaddeus Wasielewski was in court each day as his standby counsel.

Chris Ramirez covers courts for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at caramirez@usatodayco.com.



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Milwaukee apartment building fire; 5 jump from balconies, 6 rescued

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Milwaukee apartment building fire; 5 jump from balconies, 6 rescued


Firefighters responded to the scene of an apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street in Milwaukee on Friday morning, May 1. 

What we know:

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According to the Milwaukee Fire Department, crews responded to the scene shortly before 3 a.m. Upon arrival, they found fire on the first and second floors. 

Five occupants jumped from second floor balconies and were taken to the hospital. Six other occupants were rescued from the structure by the Milwaukee Fire Department. 

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Milwaukee apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street

Milwaukee apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street

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No additional details have been released – including the cause of the fire or the amount of damage sustained. 

The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Fire Department. 

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Milwaukee downtown food truck operators show up at City Hall to protest curfew

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Milwaukee downtown food truck operators show up at City Hall to protest curfew


MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee food truck operators are fearing for their livelihoods after city leaders voted to limit their hours of operation in the name of public safety.


What You Need To Know

  • The Common Council unanimously passed a rule that will force food trucks downtown to close by 10 p.m.
  • It goes into effect May 9. Aldermen argue it will help prevent people from gathering after bars close
  • Food trucks owners showed up to City Hall on Thursday morning to say they’re not the problem
  • Ald. Robert Bauman represents downtown and he said the curfew was put in place at the request of the Milwaukee Police


The Common Council unanimously passed a rule that will force food trucks downtown to close by 10 p.m.

It goes into effect May 9. Aldermen argue it will help prevent people from gathering after bars close.

Food truck owners showed up at City Hall on Thursday morning to say they’re not the problem.

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Abdallah Ismail runs the Fatty Patty food truck. He said closing his truck at 10 p.m. will be devastating for his business.

“Most of our sales happen during that time,” said Ismail. “It’s the core of our business at 10 p.m. We need the city to let us talk. We need them to listen to us and find a better solution for us if they can.”

Ismail confronted Ald. Robert Bauman at the city hall demonstration.

Bauman represents downtown, and he said the curfew was put in place at the request of the Milwaukee Police.

He also said the police department believes late-night gatherings at food trucks are a contributing factor to the downtown violence.

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Bauman said safety is a top priority.

“If the causation issue is correct that they are a part of the problem then we need to act and if there is collateral damage, that’s unfortunate,” said Bauman. “We regret that but the bigger issue here is economic viability of an entire downtown.”

Ismail said the curfew is unnecessary. He said that’s because the food truck operators have always been willing to cooperate with the police.

“When the police came to us and say close it because there is a problem, we close right away even if it’s a busy day, even if we have a line of people,” said Ismail. “We are already helping the city.”

Bauman said the curfew will move forward as planned, and if it doesn’t work, the Common Council could reconsider the measure.

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In the meantime, the food truck operators just hope they can protect their financial livelihood.



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Things to do in Milwaukee this weekend, including Maifest at Estabrook

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Things to do in Milwaukee this weekend, including Maifest at Estabrook


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Prost! Maifest, Derby Day, Spaces & Traces, and fine art shows converge this weekend along with Revolutionary War Days in Menomonee Falls. Here are a handful of things to do in the Milwaukee area.

Estabrook Park Maifest

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Cue the polka music; it’s opening weekend at Estabrook Beer Garden, 4600 N. Estabrook Parkway. Start hopping to Carol & The Keynotes at 5 p.m. May 1, and raise your stein for free beer at the Lakefront Maibock keg tapping at 6 p.m. The Squeezettes perform at 11:30 a.m. May 2, followed by a Third Space Happy Place keg tapping and free beer at noon. The polka continues with Polka Steve at 3 p.m. May 3. discoverthemorthshoremke.com

Foxtown Derby Day & Maifest

It’s beer and dogs at Foxtown Brewing, 6209 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, from noon to 10:30 p.m. May 2. Watch dachshunds “ruff for the roses” at the first annual Wisconsin Dachshund Derby, and enjoy performances by the Happy Shotski Combo, the Dorf Kapelle Band, and The LoveMonkeys. The Maifest menu includes bratwurst, giant pretzels, grilled Chicago dogs, brisket and pork schnitzel, with mint juleps, Oaks Lily cocktails, and Foxtown Brewing’s Maibock and lagers to drink. foxtownhospitalitygroup.com

Downtown Derby Day

Don your best derby hat and watch the Run for the Roses on May 2. Saddle up to the Bar in Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel at 139 E. Kilbourn Ave. for a 1 p.m. Derby Day bash with bites and specialty drinks available for purchase, then watch the race on Saint Kate’s grand projector screen. Or at 4 p.m. trot over to the Lobby Lounge of the Pfister Hotel at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. and sip a mint julep in the sophisticated atmosphere of the hotel. The main race takes place around 5:45 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public. Visit thepfisterhotel.com or saintkatearts.com.

Historic Milwaukee Spaces & Traces

Tour unique homes on Milwaukee’s upper east side from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2. Guided by docents, the tour features nine homes, and a lecture by historian Brian Fette at 2 p.m. at Plymouth Church UCC, 2717 E. Hampshire St. Tickets are $40 and are available online at historicmilwaukee.org/spaces-traces-2026.

Old Falls Revolutionary War Days

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The redcoats are coming to Old Falls Village Park, Pilgrim Road and County Line Road Q in Menomonee Falls, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3. As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, watch the planting of the Liberty Tree ceremony and see Revolutionary War reenactors bring early America to life with battles, weapon demonstrations, encampments and uniform presentations. The event includes military vendors, historical displays, music and a beer garden. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 5-11). oldfallsvillagepark.org

Free Range Art Show

A century-old farmstead hosts a fine art and craft spring show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2-3. View jewelry, pottery, fiber art, mixed media, wood work, paintings, cut metal art and sculptures in a historic Wisconsin barn at 6503 Pleasant Valley Road in Grafton. Free to attend. thefreerangeartshow.com

Art in the Garden

Shop the annual art and craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Whitnall Park, 9400 Boerner Drive in Hales Corners. The fair includes over 50 local artists, crafters and vendors showcasing a wide selection of handmade home decor, garden art, jewelry and artwork. Admission to the fair is included with regular admission to the gardens. boernerbotanicalgardens.org

What’s new in Milwaukee-area theaters this weekend

“Animal Farm”: George Orwell’s 1945 novella warning about the dangers of communism traces how a movement for equality is systematically corrupted as truth is erased. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.

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“The Devil Wears Prada 2”: Sequel to the 2006 film follows the shifting power dynamics in the fashion industry, with veteran employees facing a digitally driven landscape. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ BistroPlex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.

“Deep Water”: A plane en route from Los Angeles to Shanghai is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.

“Hokum”: A writer navigates a chilling game of deception after he is locked in the abandoned, haunted honeymoon suite of a rundown hotel. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.

“The Story of Everything”: Documentary film exploring the origins of the cosmos and humanity, arguing that scientific evidence points to intelligent design rather than random chance. See it at Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.



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