Two men from Green Bay were taken into custody by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office yesterday (Friday) following a vehicle pursuit and drone search that ended in the Eldorado marsh.
The Fond du Lac County Communications Center was notified by the Winnebago County Communications Center Friday at 3:52 p.m. of a vehicle traveling south on Highway 41 that had been involved in a high speed chase with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.
It was reported that the vehicle was driving erratically and was reported to be all over the roadway. Deputies from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office responded to Highway 41 and located the vehicle traveling southbound near Highway N, which is located in the township of Eldorado.
A deputy observed the vehicle weaving in and out of traffic while passing vehicles on the median shoulder and traveling at a high rate of speed. A traffic stop was attempted and the vehicle failed to stop for the emergency lights and siren and a vehicle pursuit ensued.
The vehicle exited Highway 41 at Highway 00 and traveled westbound on Highway OO. The pursuit continued west past Highway I and onto Coyne Road, where it left the roadway and continued south into the Eldorado marsh. Deputies did not pursue the vehicle through the marsh.
A perimeter was established and the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team responded.
Through the use of two drones equipped with FLIR technology, which is used to locate heat signatures, the vehicle was located approximately 1/2 mile south of Coyne Road as it had crashed into a tree.
Both occupants fled from the vehicle and an hour into the incident the first suspect was located via the drone and FLIR technology. An arrest team was formed and made its way into the marsh with the guidance of the drone and was able to take the suspect into custody without incident.
He was identified as a 21-year-old Green Bay man and was the passenger in the vehicle. He is currently being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail on charges of resisting/obstructing, party to a crime — fleeing/eluding and party to a crime — 1st degree recklessly endangering safety.
The second suspect was located approximately two hours after the first suspect and also was located via the drone and FLIR technology. An arrest team was able to make their way through the marsh, again with the guidance of the drone, and take him into custody without incident.
He was identified as a 20-year-old Green Bay man and admitted to being the driver of the vehicle.
He was transported by North Fond du Lac Ambulance to St. Agnes Hospital for treatment of minor injuries stemming from the crash and being outside in the elements for a prolonged time.
He is being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail on charges of fleeing/eluding, 1st degree recklessly endangering safety, felony and misdemeanor bail jumping, resisting/obstructing and possession of THC. He also will be facing charges in Winnebago County.
No other injuries were reported from the incident and no property damage occurred to any law enforcement vehicles or civilian vehicles during the pursuit. The distance of the pursuit was 3.6 miles.
The Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, City of Fond du Lac Police Department K9 Unit, and Eldorado Fire Department assisted the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office.
