MANITOWOC COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A Manitowoc County Sheriff’s K-9 deputy and multiple squad vehicles were damaged in a high-speed chase over the weekend.
It all started in the early morning hours of Saturday when deputies tried to pull a reported stolen SUV over on U.S. Highway 10 near Village Drive in the township of Manitowoc Rapids.
The operator, who was later identified as 28-year-old Juan Flores from Neenah, continued to drive recklessly, traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph, deputies say.
When the vehicle turned onto Industrial Park Drive, a dead-end road, Flores allegedly proceeded to ram police vehicles, causing damage and airbag deployment.
Flores then tried to run away before being arrested.
The passenger, 30-year-old Jessica Loney from Manitowoc County, got into the driver’s seat and proceeded to use the vehicle to push two squads out of the way to flee authorities, deputies say. In doing so, she almost struck deputies and pinched K9 officer Leon in-between two vehicles.
A second pursuit began as the SUV went southbound on Mud Creek Road, eastbound on Goodwin Road, northbound on Grimms Road and westbound on U.S. Highway 10.
To end the chase, deputies successfully used a P.I.T. (pursuit intervention technique) and caused the SUV to go into the ditch.
Loney got out of the vehicle and was immediately arrested.
Deputies are requesting multiple charges against the two, including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, fleeing an officer and possession of methamphetamine.
Loney is also facing a operating a motor vehicle without owner’s consent charge, deputies say.
No formal charges have been filed at this time.
In total, the pursuits lasted 14 minutes and covered 15 miles.
K9 deputy Leon was treated and released with minor injuries.
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