Fond du Lac County, WI – A police pursuit spanning more than 12 miles turned into an hourslong cornfield manhunt Monday before a K-9 and drone helped authorities capture a 40-year-old Fond du Lac man, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy spotted a vehicle around 2:26 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, that had recently allegedly fled from Fond du Lac police. The driver allegedly refused to stop on Highway 175 and accelerated away.
Authorities said the pursuit continued across several county roads before a deputy successfully deployed a tire-deflation device.
The suspect allegedly continued onto Highway 151, where he eventually jumped from the still-moving vehicle and fled on foot, leaving the vehicle in the highway.
Deputies and Fond du Lac police pursued the man until he entered a cornfield near Valley Creek Road. Officers established a perimeter and deployed drones and multiple K-9 teams.
Around 6:30 p.m., authorities spotted the suspect allegedly attempting to leave the cornfield near Reinhardt Road. He ran back into the field, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
A drone later located him, while a K-9 tracked him for approximately 300 yards through the cornfield. Authorities said the search ultimately pushed the suspect toward an arrest team near Paradise Lane.
He was taken into custody without incident around 7:45 p.m., more than five hours after the initial pursuit began.
The Sheriff’s Office said the man faces multiple allegations, including fleeing and eluding, second-degree recklessly endangering safety and felony bail jumping. Authorities said he was also wanted on a probation violation and has two other open felony cases.
Two patrol vehicles were damaged, and a deputy and Fond du Lac police officer suffered minor injuries. No private property was reported damaged.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
