A Wisconsin driver allegedly jumped from a moving vehicle and ran into a cornfield after officers deflated his tires. His attempt to get away led to a search involving drones, police dogs and multiple law enforcement agencies.
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office said the driver was a 40-year-old man from Fond du Lac. The pursuit began shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 17 when a deputy located a vehicle that had recently fled from city police.
The man allegedly led authorities on a 12.6-mile chase before leaving the vehicle rolling in the middle of Highway 151. He then remained inside the cornfield for more than five hours, even returning to the crops after deputies spotted him trying to leave.
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office released a detailed account of the pursuit and search. The department said the man was eventually arrested and booked into the county jail on several new allegations.
The Driver Allegedly Jumped While the Vehicle Was Still Moving
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The sheriff’s office said a deputy found the vehicle traveling south on Highway 175 near Highway 151. The driver allegedly accelerated instead of stopping and continued along several highways and county roads.
Another deputy successfully used a tire deflation device on County Trunk Highway K. However, the driver continued onto Highway 151 and used an emergency vehicle turnaround to begin traveling south.
He eventually jumped from the vehicle while it was still rolling and ran toward a subdivision on Valley Creek Road. Deputies and Fond du Lac police officers followed until he disappeared into a cornfield.
Thick Crops Initially Blocked the Drones
Officers stopped pursuing the man on foot after losing sight of him in the cornfield. They established a perimeter around the area and brought in drones and several K9 teams.
The thick foliage initially prevented the drones from finding him. At approximately 6:30 p.m., deputies spotted the man attempting to leave the cornfield near Reinhardt Road. He reportedly turned around and ran back into the crops.
Authorities made several announcements over a public address system but received no response. A K9 entered the field near the man’s last known location, while a drone operator eventually located him and guided the arrest team.
After an approximately 300-yard track, searchers pushed him out of the cornfield toward officers waiting near Paradise Lane. He was taken into custody without further incident at 7:45 p.m.
Two Officers Sustained Minor Injuries
The man was taken to a hospital for medical clearance before being booked into the Fond du Lac County Jail. Authorities said the new allegations include fleeing and eluding, second-degree recklessly endangering safety and felony bail jumping.
The sheriff’s office also said he was on probation for possession of cocaine and possession of a firearm by a felon. He reportedly had a Department of Corrections warrant for a probation violation and two other open felony cases.
Two county patrol vehicles were damaged during the incident. A sheriff’s deputy and a Fond du Lac police officer sustained minor injuries, but no private property was reportedly damaged. NBC26 reported that the Fond du Lac Police Department, Fond du Lac Fire Department and Wisconsin State Patrol assisted the sheriff’s office.