18-Year-Old Caught After Two Police Pursuits

A Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for going 100mph in a 65mph zone on Highway 151 near Highway 49 in the Town of Waupun Tuesday, February 28, 2023 around 5:30 PM.

The vehicle failed to stop for the deputy and the officer initiated a chase with the driver.

While continuing northbound on 151, the driver abruptly cut over to the southbound side while still travelling northbound at a high rate of speed.

As it approached the Highway 26 interchange, it caused several vehicles to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

The pursuing deputy was able to obtain a license plate that matched the vehicle and registered owner from Oshkosh so the decision was made to terminate the pursuit for safety reasons after the vehicle turned north on 26.

Shortly after the chase was discontinued, the Fond du Lac Communications Center began receiving multiple phone calls reporting the same vehicle was still traveling at excessive speeds and passing other vehicles in an unsafe manner as it traveled north on Highway 26.

Because the deputy’s termination of the earlier pursuit didn’t result in the intended goal of the suspect slowing and driving in a safe manner, it was decided to continue the pursuit if the vehicle was found again, which it was by a Rosendale officer and a second pursuit was started.

Two nearby deputies were able to join in the pursuit as it traveled at excessive speeds northbound on Highway 26 out of the Village of Rosendale. The driver continued to attempt to elude deputies and pass into oncoming traffic.

The vehicle ultimately traveled into the east ditch of Highway 26 where it became disabled in a farm field. The driver exited the vehicle and a foot pursuit occurred.

Responding deputies were able to form a perimeter around the area, and followed the suspect’s footprints to a nearby residence that had several abandoned outbuildings.

Sheriff’s K9 deputy “Rip” and his handler were able to track the suspect to one of these buildings and upon seeing the K9, the 18-year-old suspect from Oshkosh surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.

He is currently out on signature bonds for four separate felony cases in Dane County including multiple counts of Burglary to Dwelling, Battery, Criminal Damage to Property, and Bail Jumping.

He is currently being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail on new charges including two counts of Felony Flee/Elude, First Degree Reckless Endangering Safety, Resisting an Officer, Felony Bail Jumping, and several other traffic violations.

Both pursuits covered a total distance of approximately 7.5 miles. There were no injuries or property damage because of the pursuit.