- June 30, 2023 – Fond du Lac Co., WI -Another suspect with a significant criminal history and eight current warrants out for his arrest was taken into custody tonight after leading deputies on a dangerous high speed chase.
Thankfully this suspect, who was also arrested for operating while under the influence of drugs during the chase, did not injure anyone.
He is currently incarcerated in the Fond du Lac County Jail to answer to his many new charges here, and will be transferred to the other counties to appear before those courts and answer to his eight warrants in the future.
On Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 7:43pm, The Fond du Lac County Communications Center received information from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office that their deputies attempted to stop a vehicle for a registration violation and the vehicle fled southbound on Interstate 41 near State Highway 26.
Deputies with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office anticipated the suspect vehicle would be entering Fond du Lac County so they positioned themselves on I41. More information was gathered on the vehicle and it was discovered the displayed registration did not match the suspect vehicle.
A short time later a Fond du Lac County Deputy observed the suspect vehicle traveling southbound on I41 near Sales Road, in the Town of Eldorado. The suspect was weaving in and out of traffic and driving recklessly. The deputy activated his emergency lights and siren, catching up to the vehicle. Once behind the vehicle, the deputy observed the suspect increase its speeds and a pursuit ensued.
The suspect vehicle continued southbound on I41 for a short distance before exiting onto County Highway OO. They traveled west on CTH OO, turning southbound on Rolling Meadows Drive. Several law enforcement units from the City of Fond du Lac Police Department and the Village of North Fond du Lac Police Department assisted in the pursuit. The suspect continued south on Rolling Meadows Drive at Scott Street. As the suspect approached Johnson Street, he was met by a City of Fond du Lac Officer and a Fond du Lac County Deputy who were positioned with Stop Sticks (tire deflation devices). The suspect turned around in the entrance of Walmart, avoiding the Stop Sticks, and continued back north on Rolling Meadows Drive. The suspect then began turning into businesses north of Scott St, off Rolling Meadows Drive, avoiding law enforcement. The suspect continued to drive recklessly through these business parking lots almost striking several patrol vehicles. The driver eventually continued back north on Rolling Meadows Drive where a Village of North Fond du Lac Officer was positioned with Stop Sticks. The suspect again tried to turn around to avoid these however lost control and traveled down into a steep ditch. The suspect exited his vehicle, ran in front of his vehicle, and was struck by his own vehicle which was still rolling down the hill. The suspect continued from the ditch line into a wooded area where he was taken into custody by deputies without further incident.
The driver was identified as a 29-year-old man from Racine, Wisconsin. It was discovered that he had 8 active warrants for his arrest. Those warrants are listed below:
Racine County – Bail jumping on original charge of bail jumping and operating while revoked
Racine County – Failure to appear on original charges of possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, and bail jumping
Racine County – Failure to appear on original charges of possession of THC and bail jumping
Waukesha County – Failure to appear on original charges of possession of narcotic drugs, possession of THC (2nd), and possession of drug paraphernalia
Waukesha County – Bail jumping on original charges of possession of narcotic drugs, possession of THC (2nd), and possession of drug paraphernalia
Milwaukee County – Theft – moveable property <=$2500
Milwaukee County – OWI (2nd)
The Driver was booked into the Fond du Lac County Jail on charges of Felony Operator Flee/Elude an Officer, First Degree Reckless Endangering Safety, Bail Jumping – 8 Counts, operating while under the influence (drug related) – 2nd offense (will be 3rd offense if convicted of the pending 2nd offense he has a warrant for in Milwaukee County) and held on the warrants listed above. He was also issued several traffic tickets stemming from the pursuit. The suspect was evaluated for possible injuries from the incident however refused treatment on scene. A Village of North Fond du Lac Officer did sustain minor injuries from the incident that were treated on scene. No law enforcement vehicles were damaged during the pursuit. The pursuit lasted approximately 5 miles.
The Wisconsin State Patrol, City of Fond du Lac Police Department, Village of North Fond du Lac Police Department and The Village of North Fond du Lac EMS all assisted the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office during the incident.
Sergeant Matthew Riemenschneider #154
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office