Deputies arrested a suspect accused of holding a woman against her will and leading police on a high-speed chase at over 100 mph through Lake County early Monday morning.
The Lake County Sheriff’s 911 Emergency Telecommunications Center was notified around 1:10 a.m. Monday by the Racine Police Department requesting assistance with a fleeing vehicle that crossed the state line into Illinois on Route 45.
Wisconsin authorities said the driver, Aaron J. Kirksey, 30, of Racine, fled after a domestic-related dispute with a victim who may have been held against her will, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
A Lake County sheriff’s sergeant located Kirksey’s vehicle, a white GMC Yukon, in the area of Route 41 and Wadsworth Road in Wadsworth.
Covelli said the sergeant attempted to conduct a traffic stop but Kirksey fled at a high rate of speed and ran a red light.
The driver fled from the sheriff’s sergeant at speeds over 100 mph, Covelli said.
Lake County sheriff’s 911 dispatchers worked with OnStar and were able to remotely slow down the vehicle.
Sheriff’s deputies located Kirksey’s vehicle on Stearns School Road west of Route 41 in unincorporated Gurnee.
Covelli said Kirksey abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. An adult woman, who was uninjured and in the passenger seat, was rescued by sheriff’s deputies.
Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Sinceno and Canine Simba began tracking Kirksey.
They located him hiding nearby in a wooded area under bushes with the keys to the car in his pocket.
He was taken into custody and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of aggravated fleeing to elude, aggravated speeding, reckless driving, driving while license suspended and numerous traffic infractions.
“From our 911 emergency telecommunicators to our patrol deputies, terrific collaboration resulted in apprehending this dangerous man. Every day our staff works tirelessly to keep the community safe, and I am very proud of everyone involved in this incident,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
Wisconsin law enforcement is conducting an additional investigation regarding criminal charges in Racine County.
Kirksey remains held in the Lake County Jail after appearing in First Appearance Court on Monday morning.
He is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on Tuesday afternoon after the state’s attorney’s office filed a petition to detain him.