APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Two Appleton Police officers are recovering after being attacked in the police department parking lot.
Around 2:15 a.m. Tuesday morning, an officer reported a vehicle that appeared to be following him for an extended distance. He then drove towards the police department to notify other officers. Officers were soon notified that the vehicle had been involved in similar incidents in another jurisdiction.
A different officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled. No pursuit was made because there were no serious charges, and simply a suspicious situation.
The officer who reported being followed returned to the department around 4:15 a.m. – where he noticed the vehicle parked nearby and a man standing near the employee entrance. The officer noticed the man apparently hiding something behind his right leg. When he attempted to speak with the individual, the man charged the officer.
“They were in uniform working their shift. They just happened to be pulling into the parking lot and noticed this individual standing next to the employee entrance to the building,” Lieutenant Mike Frisch tells WTAQ News, “The male then attacked the officer, the officer defended himself and was able to get the subject on the ground. Other officers had responded to the parking lot and assisted that officer in taking him into custody.”
The suspect reportedly stabbed the officer several times with a kitchen-style knife before being taken to the ground. One of the other responding officers also suffered a knife cut to their hand.
“Unfortunately, two of our officers were injured. Some puncture wounds, cuts, things like that – they were treated at a local hospital and released,” Frisch says.
49-year-old Troy VanGrinsven of Kaukauna was also taken to a hospital for treatment. He will be taken to jail once he is medically cleared.
It’s currently unclear what led VanGrinsven to ambush the officer – or whether it was targeted.
“That’s under further investigation. We’re looking into his background, but there’s nothing to indicate that at this point,” Frisch says.
The Appleton Police Department will be requesting charges of Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide and Battery to a Police Officer. Additional charges may be filed as a result of the ongoing investigation.
