Deputies Pursue Wanted Wisconsin Man Through Cornfield After 12-Mile High-Speed Chase
A 40-year-old suspect fled police in Fond du Lac, prompting a 12-mile chase, a tire-deflation stop, and a five-hour manhunt that ended with his arrest in a cornfield.
At 2:26 p.m. on Aug. 17, a 40-year-old man evaded Fond du Lac police, leading deputies to spot his car traveling south on Highway 175. Ignoring lights and sirens, he accelerated, forcing a 12-mile high-speed chase that ended when a tire-deflation device punctured his tires. The suspect leapt from the vehicle, ran toward a subdivision, and then vanished into a cornfield where officers lost visual contact.
A perimeter was set, and drones along with several K-9 teams searched the area; the suspect was eventually seen attempting to exit the field near Reinhardt Road. After a brief chase, a K-9 and drone guidance helped officers apprehend him near Paradise Lane at about 7:45 p.m. He was taken to a hospital for clearance, then booked on charges including fleeing, reckless endangerment, and felony bail jumping. One deputy sustained minor injuries, and two patrol vehicles were damaged during the incident.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the challenges of rural pursuits and the use of technology in law-enforcement operations.
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