South Shore Park Mandarin duck photographer robbed

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. – A photographer from Appleton got here to the Milwaukee space Wednesday, Jan. 11 to snap photographs of a uncommon Mandarin duck that has been noticed at South Shore Park, and the expertise turned out to be memorable for all of the incorrect causes. Somebody pulled a gun on Brent Balken and tried stealing his pictures tools shortly after he left the park.

It has been Balken’s dream for the previous few years to seize photographs of wildlife like South Shore Park’s Mandarin duck. They’re usually present in Asia.

“I simply knew it was one which I wished to get,” stated Balken. “I by no means obtained it.”

When he heard it had been noticed in Milwaukee, the interest wildlife photographer drove from Appleton to snap photographs.

“It’s such a tremendous duck,” stated Balken. “Completely lovely.”

He packed up after about 45 minutes on the park and headed down the highway in quest of owls. When he parked his truck, he discovered another person.

“Swiftly, I heard a car come to a cease behind me,” stated Balken.

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A person obtained out of a silver sedan within the parking zone of the St. Francis Seminary. His face was coated with a bandanna, and he was holding a rifle.

“The gun was a few foot and a half from my chest,” stated Balken.

He demanded Balken’s tools. When Balken refused to surrender, his phrases turned menacing.

“He threatened me at that time by saying, ‘Is your life price that tools?’” stated Balken. “I turned and stated, ‘Is your life price it?’”

The person reached into Balken’s truck however was solely in a position to pull out a bean bag. Balken walked towards him, and the person took off.

“That’s after I simply froze,” stated Balken. “I don’t know if it was the adrenaline.”

He tried following behind in his truck and known as 911, however the man obtained away. 

Balken stated he wished to warn others, particularly photographers. 

“I really feel very lucky,” stated Balken. “I really feel like God was searching for me.”

St. Francis police are looking for the person who threatened Balken and tried to steal from him. Balken believes he was focused and adopted from South Shore Park.

Balken stated he would not suggest doing what he did. 

Regardless of what occurred, he stated he would not remorse driving all the way down to Milwaukee to see the uncommon duck.

Anybody with info on this crime is requested to please contact St. Francis police 414-481-2232. You possibly can stay nameless.