Dashcam video has been released of a high-speed pursuit from Wisconsin to Lake County that ended in Gurnee Friday with the arrest of the driver, who allegedly rammed a squad car.
A Kenosha Police Department officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation near 52nd Street and Green Bay Road early Friday morning, according to the department.
The driver shut off the car’s lights and fled. The same vehicle was involved in two previous pursuits with the Pleasant Prairie Police Department.
Spike strips were deployed on the vehicle and the front driverโs side tire was deflated, police officials said.
The suspect continued to flee despite the tire being deflated and the car riding on the rim.
Police officials say the suspect intentionally rammed a Pleasant Prairie Police Department squad car as the chase traveled west on Highway 50.
The pursuit went through Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie before entering Lake County.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers were notified around 3:40 a.m. Friday of the pursuit as it began entering Illinois.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the driver continued fleeing at speeds of up to 100 mph.
The offender traveled southbound on Interstate 94 before going southbound on Route 41 into Illinois.
Lake County sheriffโs deputies responded and began clearing intersections so the offender did not strike and hurt any innocent bystanders, Covelli said.
Additional deputies were attempting to deploy spike strips further south on Route 41.
While deploying the stop strips, Wisconsin officers were able to box in the offending vehicle, forcing the driver to finally stop at Route 41 and Delany Road in Gurnee.
Covelli said the driver refused to provide his information after he was arrested.
He was transported to the Lake County Jail to be fingerprinted and held pending charges in Illinois and Wisconsin.
The suspect was later eventually identified as Jesus Catalan, 31, of Waukegan.
Catalan was charged in Lake County with obstructing justice, criminal damage to property, aggravated driving under the influence, aggravated fleeing to elude, reckless driving and driving with a suspended driverโs license.
He was also charged with fugitive from justice due to Kenosha County’s pending charges.
The Kenosha County charges include fleeing and eluding an officer, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, operating while intoxicated, possession of cocaine and bail jumping.
Catalan appeared in First Appearance Court on Saturday morning and a judge ordered him detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday.