Racine County Sheriff's K9 officer helps to quickly apprehend high-speed pursuit suspect

RACINE COUNTY (WITI) -- Racine County Sheriff's officials say a high-speed pursuit suspect was able to be taken into custody with the help of a Racine County Sheriff's K9 officer.

Sheriff's officials say on June 3rd -- just before 3:45 p.m., the Racine County Communications Center was advised that the Muskego Police Department was involved in a pursuit of a green Saturn which had fled from a traffic stop in Muskego.

Muskego police advised they had lost sight of the fleeing vehicle -- and stated the operator had multiple warrants for his arrest and was possibly intoxicated.

Just before 4:00 p.m., a Racine County Sheriff's deputy and K9 officer Friday located the vehicle.

When the Sheriff's deputy caught up to the suspect vehicle -- the suspect increased his vehicle speed in attempt to get away from the deputy.

The deputy attempted to pull the suspect over, and the suspect continued to increase his vehicle speed and refused to stop his vehicle.

Sheriff's officials say after a short vehicle pursuit, the suspect stopped his vehicle and fled on food in the Town of Yorkville -- into a cornfield.

The Sheriff's deputy and K9 officer Friday chased the suspect on foot.

With Friday's assistance, the suspect was quickly taken into custody.

The suspect is a 39-year-old man from the Village of Union Grove.

He is being held at the Racine County Jail on charges including fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing, operating after revocation, bail jumping, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

“Once again, our K9 program has proven to be a valuable tool to this community as Deputy Drewitz and K9 Friday quickly put a stop to a very dangerous and fleeing criminal," Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said.