Runaway teens taken into custody after leading authorities on 27-mile pursuit

FOND DU LAC COUNTY -- Three juveniles reported as runaways from the Menasha area were taken into custody early Wednesday morning, May 18th after leading Fond du Lac County Sheriff's deputies on a 27.5-mile pursuit.

It began around 12:15 a.m. when a Fond du Lac County Sheriff's deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a westbound vehicle for a speed violation at State Highway 23 near County Highway UU in the Township of Empire.

Officials say the vehicle did not stop or obey the deputy's signal to stop. The vehicle continued westbound on State Highway 23 and then turned northbound onto US Highway 151 at State Highway 23.

The deputy did continue to pursue the vehicle with emergency lights and siren activated. While traveling northbound on US Highway 151, speeds of the pursuit reached 105 mph.

The pursuit then entered Calumet County.

The suspect vehicle continued northbound on US Highway 151 into Calumet County and then proceeded northbound on US Highway 55 in Calumet County. At this time, the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office was gathering information as to possible occupants and learned that possibly juveniles were involved and/or in the vehicle. It was at this time that deputies of the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office reduced their speeds and backed off from the suspect vehicle.

Sheriff's officials say the vehicle did leave the roadway on US Highway 55, south of Faro Springs Road, in Calumet County. Following the crash, the occupants fled the scene on foot.

Two female juveniles, who were reported runaways from the Menasha area, were apprehended and later turned over to Menasha Police Department. A 16-year-old boy, also a reported runaway from the Menasha area, who is believed to be the driver, fled the scene on foot. He was taken into custody in Calumet County around 8:30 a.m.

The length of the pursuit was 27.5 miles. No property was damaged and no one was injured.