On August 17, deputies from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office began a high‑speed pursuit of a 40‑year‑old man who had fled from the City of Fond du Lac Police Department. The chase started at 2:26 p.m. when officers received a report that the suspect was attempting to leave the area in a vehicle traveling south on Highway 175 near Highway 151.
Deputies activated lights and sirens, but the driver ignored the commands and accelerated, prompting a 12‑mile pursuit that took the suspect onto several county roads. A second deputy deployed a tire‑deflation device, successfully flattening the suspect’s tires. Dash‑camera footage captured the moment the suspect abandoned the vehicle and sprinted toward a nearby subdivision.
Foot pursuit and entry into cornfield
A Fond du Lac police officer gave chase on foot, but the suspect vanished into a dense cornfield, where visibility was limited. Officers halted the foot pursuit for safety reasons and established a perimeter around County Highway V, Reinhardt Road, County Highway K, and Valley Creek Road.
Drones operated by the Fond du Lac Police Department and the County Sheriff’s Office were launched, but thick foliage initially prevented locating the suspect. Multiple K‑9 teams also combed the area.
Drone and K‑9 assistance bring suspect to justice
At approximately 6:30 p.m., deputies spotted the man attempting to exit the cornfield near Reinhardt Road. He turned back into the field when officers approached. Announcements over a loudspeaker received no response.
A K‑9 was released near the suspect’s last known location, and a drone operator located him from above, directing an arrest team to his position. The suspect continued to run, covering roughly 300 yards through the cornfield before being guided toward officers waiting near Paradise Lane.
He was taken into custody without incident at about 7:45 p.m. and transferred to Fond du Lac police. The entire incident, including the vehicle pursuit, lasted more than five hours.
Charges and background
The suspect was booked into the Fond du Lac County Jail after receiving medical clearance. He faces multiple counts, including fleeing and eluding, second‑degree reckless endangerment, and felony bail jumping. He is also on probation for cocaine possession and possession of a firearm by a felon, with an active Wisconsin Department of Corrections warrant for a probation violation.
Additional pending felony charges in Fond du Lac County include possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, maintaining a drug‑trafficking location, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of drug paraphernalia. A second case involves felony bail jumping and further drug‑paraphernalia charges.
Impact on law‑enforcement resources
Two Fond du Lac County patrol vehicles were damaged during the pursuit, and a sheriff’s deputy and a Fond du Lac police officer sustained minor injuries. No private property was reported damaged.
The coordinated use of tire‑deflation devices, K‑9 units, and drone technology highlights the department’s commitment to public safety and effective law‑enforcement response in the county.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
