Man Steals Car With Sleeping Woman In Back Seat

Officials in Columbia County were involved in a chase of a stolen vehicle early Saturday morning, January 14, 2023, but this chase was a bit different than most as one of the vehicles occupants were still in the car when it was stolen.

Just before 3:30 AM, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an adult female reporting that she was being driven around by an unknown male and
didn’t know where they were going.

She said her family had stopped at and entered a gas station while she was sleeping in the back seat of the vehicle.

When she awoke, the unknown man was driving at high speeds and refused to release her.

Just after 4 AM, a Columbia County Deputy saw the vehicle traveling westbound on HWY 188 but the driver attempted to elude the officer.

More county deputies and troopers with the Wisconsin State Patrol joined the pursuit.

Tire deflation devices were successfully used, but the driver continued to drive on the vehicle’s rims after losing the tires.

Eventually the vehicle crashed and the 51-year-old suspect from New York State was taken into custody.

The female was uninjured.

Police believe the man was under the influence of drugs. A vehicle was found at the gas station where the stolen car was taken from listing to the man, and it had
methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in it.

The suspect was booked into the Columbia County Jail on charges of felony eluding, operating a motor vehicle without consent, false imprisonment, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, reckless driving and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.