Suspect in custody after pursuit in Racine County reaches speeds of 100 m.p.h.



RACINE COUNTY (WITI) -- An hours-long search has landed one man in custody -- after he led law enforcement on a car chase that reached more than 100 m.p.h early Wednesday morning, March 18th.

According to the Racine County Sheriff's Office, deputies attempted to stop a vehicle heading eastbound on 5 Mile Road in the Town of Raymond just before 1 a.m. for numerous traffic violations.

"The deputy attempted to stop that vehicle and the vehicle failed to stop and speeds reached over 100 miles per hour," said Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling.

That set off a chase that lasted roughly six minutes. In that time, the driver threw his car into reverse and gunned the vehicle into the deputy's squad car.

"He ended up smashing into the squad car. I believe that the squad tire was turned at just such an angle that the suspect vehicle tire and the squad tire bumped together causing just minimal damage to the front bumper area," said Schmaling.

The driver again took off and eventually abandoned the car. He ran into a nearby wooded area.

Law enforcement and K9 officers hounded the area -- but it appeared the man had vanished.

"He was very lucky to avoid us, he really was. We had a lot of staff out there, but he slipped through," said Schmaling.

Crews continued searching -- and Wednesday afternoon, they found the man hiding in a pole barn. Sheriff Schmaling says he was taken into custody without a fight.

"He's had numerous contacts with law enforcement and he is wanted for questioning on some situations that occurred in Milwaukee as well as here in Racine county earlier yesterday," said Schmaling.

Schmaling tells FOX6 News he expects the runaway driver to face numerous felony charges.