January 26, 2025 – Fond du Lac Co., WI – On Sunday, January 26, 2025, at approximately 4:56 p.m., the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office was alerted by an automated license plate reader that a vehicle wanted for felony retail theft had entered Fond du Lac County, traveling northbound on I-41 from Dodge County.
A Fond du Lac County Deputy located the vehicle on I-41 near Hickory Street in the City of Fond du Lac.
The vehicle exited onto South Military Road and entered a private business parking lot, where a felony traffic stop was conducted. After a brief stop, the vehicle rapidly accelerated and fled, at this time deputies initiated a high-speed pursuit.
The vehicle continued south on I-41 at high speeds while passing other vehicles on the shoulder. Deputies pursued the vehicle as it entered Dodge County and later Washington County.
In Washington County, a Washington County Deputy successfully deployed a tire deflation device near County Highway K on I-41. Although the suspect vehicle continued south for a short distance, the tire deflation device caused the operator to stop on the shoulder of I-41 near WI 144 in Washington County.
Deputies from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Troopers with the Wisconsin State Patrol conducted a high-risk traffic stop and took all three occupants of the vehicle into custody without incident.
The driver, a 36-year-old woman from Vermont, was transported to the Fond du Lac County Jail on charges of felony fleeing/eluding, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, possession of THC, and possession of drug paraphernalia. This female also has a warrant through New Hampshire, that is not valid in Wisconsin.
The front-seat passenger, a 40-year-old man from Pennsylvania, was transported to the Fond du Lac County Jail on charges of possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting/obstructing.
This male has one warrant through Vermont, 2 warrants through Pennsylvania and one warrant through New Jersey. These warrants are not valid in the State of Wisconsin.
The rear-seat passenger, a 41-year-old man from Vermont, was transported to the Fond du Lac County Jail on charges of possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting/obstructing.
The pursuit lasted approximately 33 miles. The suspect vehicle sustained damage from the tire deflation device; however, no other damages or injuries were reported.
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Sergeant Brett Handschke #156
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office