Hearing ordered on the legal competency of a Milwaukee man after he allegedly caused a disturbance in local businesses

RACINE, WI – A competency hearing has been ordered for a 37-year-old Milwaukee man who caused a disturbance outside several Racine businesses during a seven-day period earlier this month.

Williedee Byrd is charged with five counts of disturbing the peace and one count of obstructing an officer. The six charges carry a possible total sentence of six years in the Racine County Jail and a $15,000 fine.

Byrd remains in custody at the Racine County Jail on $50 bail pending a competency hearing scheduled for September 6 at 10 a.m.

Hearing on jurisdiction ordered

According to the criminal complaint:

Racine police were called to a party at the Speedway, 4320 Washington Ave., around 11 a.m. on August 6. The defendant was later identified as the man who kept coming into the store, not buying anything and refusing to leave.

Three hours later, police were dispatched to Wendy's, 4910 Washington Ave., because a man was sleeping in the bathroom. Employees told police they were unable to wake the man, later identified as Byrd. Police also believed the defendant was preventing patrons from using the bathroom.

Less than an hour later, police responded to Ayra's Liquor, 4700 Washington Ave., because an unknown person was urinating outside the store. Employees there identified the person as Byrd.

An employee stated that Byrd was in the store three times that day and was asked to leave. The employee also observed the defendant asking customers for money outside the store.

On August 8, officers responded to Parkview Gardens, 5321 Douglas Ave., Caledonia, where they spoke with a woman who observed Byrd smoking and drinking on a bench in front of the residence.

Parkview Gardens is a senior living community that prohibits smoking. The woman stated that Byrd does not live there. When police made contact with Byrd, he allegedly took a can of beer, drank it and walked away.

Police had to threaten to use a taser to get Byrd to comply, the complaint says.

Finally, on August 12, police were dispatched to Buckets Pub, 2031 Lathrop Ave., because a man was sleeping outside. Police made contact with the man, identified as Byrd, and told him to “move on.” While he was doing so, police observed him walking to Cito's, 1933 Lathrop Ave., where he attempted to steal a bag of beef jerky.

A store clerk followed Byrd outside and retrieved the jerky.

At his first appearance, Byrd was ordered not to possess or consume alcohol and a hearing was scheduled to determine his competency.