A police pursuit that started in Wisconsin ended in Lake County Friday morning and spurred a manhunt after the suspect fled on foot into a wooded area near Wadsworth.
The Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin Police Department began pursuing a Dodge Journey around 2 a.m. Friday.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and other surrounding police departments were notified of the pursuit, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The offender, a 32-year-old Zion man, was wanted for felony stalking, criminal damage to property and bail jumping.
The pursuit entered Lake County’s jurisdiction and sheriff’s deputies assisted with blocking roadways to prevent cross-traffic from being struck during the pursuit, Covelli said.
The Dodge traveled southbound on Green Bay Road after entering Lake County and turned onto Wadsworth Road.
It proceeded westbound on Wadsworth Road and went northbound onto Dilleys Road in Wadsworth.
The Dodge eventually came to a stop on Route 41 north of Wadsworth Road when it lost control and crashed, Covelli said.
The Zion man fled on foot, believed to have gone into a wooded area, and police established a large perimeter in the area.
The suspect was possibly armed with a gun, according to police radio traffic.
Sheriff’s deputies along with Gurnee police, Waukegan police, Kenosha police, Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office and Pleasant Prairie police began searching for the suspect.
Law enforcement canines were utilized and sheriff’s deputies launched drones in an attempt to locate the man.
After searching for nearly three hours, the search was called off, Covelli said.
It appeared the offender was likely able to call for a ride quickly after crashing his car, Covelli added.
Pleasant Prairie police will be seeking additional charges against the man for the incident.