A suspect was taken into custody after he fled from police in Zion and led officers on a pursuit in Wisconsin where he crashed into squad cars before returning to Illinois and fleeing on foot near Wadsworth.
The Pleasant Prairie Police Department became involved in a vehicle pursuit around 9 a.m. on February 4 after the suspect fled from a neighboring jurisdiction.
Pleasant Prairie Police Department Captain of Patrol Paul Marik told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that the driver originally fled from the Zion Police Department on Lewis Avenue and traveled north into Wisconsin.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver refused and continued driving recklessly.
The Pleasant Prairie pursuit began on 39th Avenue, traveled down Spring Brook Road and to Highway 165.
The chase went onto Interstate 94 northbound and exited at Highway C where it soon made its way in the opposite direction on southbound Interstate 94, Marik said.
The suspect vehicle struck multiple squad cars during the pursuit and also at one point during the chase slammed into a guardrail.
Police officials said officers continued the pursuit into Illinois due to the danger posed to the public.
The driver eventually lost control and drove into a ditch on Route 41 north of Route 173 in Wadsworth with the suspect fleeing on foot, Marik said.
Officers chased him on foot but were not able to immediately catch up to him, video showed.
An off-duty Pleasant Prairie officer assisted and tackled the suspect, allowing officers to catch up and take him into custody.
“Our agency continually evaluates the need to continue a pursuit. In this case, the suspect’s reckless driving posed a significant threat to the public, and ending the pursuit safely was a priority,” the police department said.
“Our officers placed themselves in harm’s way to protect others. We thank the motorists who safely yielded to our emergency vehicles and showed patience during this incident,” the department added.
The suspect is facing charges in Kenosha County, Walworth County and Lake County.
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Zion Police Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office assisted.