A 40-year-old Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, man was arrested Aug. 17 after allegedly leading deputies on a 12.6-mile high-speed chase and fleeing into a cornfield. The pursuit ended after more than five hours when K-9 teams and drone operators helped officers locate and drive him toward an arrest team. Authorities said the man was wanted on a Wisconsin Department of Corrections warrant and had two pending felony cases.
The incident began after the man allegedly refused to stop for a deputy and accelerated away. He abandoned the moving vehicle after a tire-deflation device was deployed, then evaded officers in dense vegetation before being taken into custody near Paradise Lane.
| 1) | The pursuit begins on Wisconsin highways |
|---|---|
| 2) | The suspect escapes into a cornfield |
| 3) | Search teams establish a perimeter |
| 4) | Drone and K-9 teams guide the arrest |
| 5) | Charges and injuries follow the operation |
The pursuit begins on Wisconsin highways
The chase started at about 2:26 p.m. on Aug. 17, after authorities were informed that a man had fled from Fond du Lac police. A sheriff’s deputy located the vehicle traveling south on Highway 175 near Highway 151 and attempted a traffic stop using emergency lights and sirens.
According to authorities, the driver refused to stop and accelerated at a high rate of speed. The pursuit continued across several county roads. Another deputy later deployed a tire-deflation device, which struck the vehicle’s tires and helped bring the vehicle’s movement under control.
The suspect escapes into a cornfield
Dash camera footage released by authorities showed the suspect leaving the vehicle while it was still rolling and running toward a nearby subdivision. A Fond du Lac police officer followed on foot, but the man entered a cornfield and quickly disappeared from view in the dense vegetation.
Officers ended the immediate foot pursuit because of safety concerns. The abandoned vehicle was left in the middle of a highway, and the suspect’s movement into the field prompted a broader search involving local law enforcement resources.
Search teams establish a perimeter
Authorities established a perimeter around County Highway V, Reinhardt Road, County Highway K and Valley Creek Road. The search area was in and around the cornfield where officers had last seen the man.
Drone units from Fond du Lac police and the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office were deployed, but thick foliage initially prevented operators from locating him. Multiple K-9 teams also searched the area as officers worked to contain the suspect and limit routes out of the field.
Drone and K-9 teams guide the arrest
At about 6:30 p.m., sheriff’s personnel saw the man attempting to leave the cornfield near Reinhardt Road. He ran back into the field when officers approached. Authorities made several announcements over a loudspeaker, but officials said he did not respond.
A K-9 was deployed near the man’s last known location. A drone operator then located him from above and directed an arrest team toward his position. The man continued running from officers and the dog for approximately 300 yards before being driven out of the field toward officers waiting near Paradise Lane.
Charges and injuries follow the operation
The man was taken into custody without incident at about 7:45 p.m. and turned over to Fond du Lac police. He was first taken to a hospital for medical clearance and then booked into the Fond du Lac County Jail.
Authorities listed multiple counts of fleeing and eluding, second-degree recklessly endangering safety and felony bail jumping. They said the man was on probation for cocaine possession and possession of a gun by a felon and had an active Department of Corrections warrant for an alleged probation violation.
The sheriff’s office also said he had two pending felony cases in Fond du Lac County. One case includes allegations involving cocaine possession with intent to distribute, possession of a gun by a felon, maintaining a drug trafficking place, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia. The other includes felony bail jumping and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Two Fond du Lac County patrol vehicles were damaged during the pursuit. A sheriff’s deputy and a Fond du Lac police officer suffered minor injuries, while authorities said no private property was damaged.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The pursuit covered approximately 12.6 miles and lasted more than five hours. |
| 2 | The suspect fled from a moving vehicle into a cornfield after a tire-deflation device was used. |
| 3 | Drone and K-9 teams helped locate and direct officers to the suspect. |
| 4 | The man faces multiple allegations, while two officers sustained minor injuries. |
Summary
The coordinated operation ended with the arrest of a wanted man after a prolonged chase and search through dense farmland. Authorities used a perimeter, aerial surveillance and K-9 resources to locate him, while the investigation and pending criminal cases remain subject to court proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the pursuit occur?
The pursuit began at about 2:26 p.m. on Aug. 17, 2026, in the Fond du Lac area of Wisconsin.
How was the suspect found?
A drone operator located him from above after a K-9 was deployed near his last known location. The drone operator directed an arrest team toward him.
What charges does the man face?
Authorities listed multiple counts of fleeing and eluding, second-degree recklessly endangering safety and felony bail jumping. They also cited an active probation-violation warrant and two pending felony cases.
