Police Arrests A Witch

WAUKESHA, Wis. -- A Waukesha woman who claims she's a witch was arrested on suspicion of disturbing her neighbors, police said.

Neighbors along a typically quiet Waukesha street said they woke up just after midnight Tuesday to quite a commotion, reported WISN-TV in Milwaukee.

"All of a sudden I'm seeing flashing lights, firecrackers and all sorts of stuff," said neighbor Vicki Denova.

Investigators said Brenna Barney is a Wicca and was practicing a religious ritual because of a new moon.

Police said it involved a bon fire in a pit and witch chants.

"Literally, we saw her take a doll, do a chant and throw it in the fire," her neighbor, Mike Thiel, said.

Thiel said the fire was so close to the house that he was worried.

"With the fire going on, you don't know if the house is going to burn down," Thiel said.

Neighbors said that aside from the fire hazard, Barney was so loud that they called police.

When officers arrived, they said, Barney fought with them, saying they were infringing on her religious rights. Police responded by saying religion had nothing to do with it, and that she was breaking the law.

Denova said she doesn't care what Barney believes either as long as she's not waking her up in the wee hours of the morning.

"To be perfectly honest, your choice is your choice as long as you're not affecting other people," Denova said.

Barney was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. She was released from jail on bond Tuesday afternoon.

Barney did not comment on the incident.

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