Monona, Wis. – On Monday, Monona Police Department (MOPD) announced the recovery of a white Ford Fusion that had been stolen from the City of Madison over the weekend. The department, working with multiple law‑enforcement partners, used a specialized Grappler device to bring the vehicle to a stop and apprehended a teenage passenger, while the driver remains unidentified.
How the theft unfolded
According to MOPD, officers were first alerted Saturday evening that a white Ford Fusion had been taken from a Madison parking area. A few hours later, dispatch received a call about a white sedan traveling at high speed and driving recklessly through a residential neighborhood. Subsequent sightings placed the vehicle on Highway 51 in McFarland, where the driver ran a red light and appeared to strike a traffic sign.
Police locate the stolen car in Monona
Shortly after the highway sighting, an MOPD supervisor spotted the Fusion in Monona. After confirming the vehicle’s identity, the supervisor, operating an unmarked squad car equipped with a Grappler device, began a low‑speed pursuit. When the driver turned from Moorland Road onto Warner Street and then onto Diving Hawk Trail, the supervisor deployed the Grappler, causing the stolen car to pull over.
Arrest of the passenger
As the supervising officer exited his vehicle, the doors of the Fusion opened and two occupants fled on foot. The supervisor gave chase and eventually stopped the passenger, who resisted arrest. Police used a firearm to gain compliance, and the passenger was taken into custody from a residential backyard.
The arrested passenger was identified as Winston Coleman, 17, a Monona resident. Under Wisconsin law, Coleman will be charged as an adult for operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent (as a passenger) and for resisting or obstructing an officer. He was booked into the Dane County Jail.
Driver still at large
While the passenger has been detained, the driver of the stolen Fusion has not been located. MOPD, along with the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Madison Police Department, McFarland Police Department, Fitchburg Police Department, Oregon Police Department, Maple Bluff Police Department, Shorewood Hills Police Department, and the Dane County 911/PSC, continue to search for the suspect.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the driver’s identity or whereabouts to contact Monona Police Department at 608‑222‑0463. Community members are reminded that timely tips can be crucial in resolving cases and keeping neighborhoods safe.
Community impact
This incident underscores the importance of inter‑agency cooperation in addressing vehicle theft and related crimes. The successful recovery of the stolen vehicle and the swift arrest of a suspect demonstrate the dedication of local law‑enforcement to protect residents and uphold the rule of law.
Monona Police Department encourages residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and support ongoing efforts to keep the city safe.
Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.
