November 2, 2020 – Washington Co., WI – Early Monday morning, Nov. 2, 2020 at 1:51 a.m., the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance with a high-speed chase entering northern Washington County on I41.
The initial report indicated Fond du Lac deputes were chasing a Fox Valley area stolen vehicle at 110 mph southbound on I41.
Additionally the operator, who was later identified as a 23-year-old Wautoma man, allegedly “pistol whipped” a female passenger in the car during a domestic dispute that occurred somewhere along I41 north of Fond du Lac.
The male suspect stopped the stolen vehicle in the right lane of I41 north of STH 33. The female victim, identified as a 22-year-old from Wautoma, ran from the stopped vehicle towards law enforcement assistance. Deputies then began negotiation with the suspect for his surrender.
After 25 minutes of stalemate, the Washington County SWAT team was dispatched to the scene.
Tactical negotiators attempted to gain the suspect’s compliance for over two hours with limited success and a tactical plan was then initiated, which included the use of two armored vehicles, to compel the suspect out of the vehicle.
The suspect exited the vehicle before any physical force was used during final negotiations.
The suspect is being held in the Washington County Jail on several charges including a parole violation related to an armed robbery charge, operating without owner’s consent, felon in possession of a firearm and failure to comply with a lawful order to surrender. The suspect will also face additional charges outside of Washington County.
Interstate 41 was closed for 3.5 hours during the standoff, and it was later determined the suspect stopped only because he ran out of gas.
“I am delighted with the seamless cooperation demonstrated by agencies even outside Washington County,” said Sheriff Martin Schulteis. “I am equally as pleased with the members of the Washington County SWAT team that brought this dangerous armed offender into custody without harming anyone.”
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office would also like to thank the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, the Germantown Police Department, the West Bend Police Department, the Slinger Police Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol for the assistance in holding this dangerous criminal accountable for his actions.
