Drone helps locate Wisconsin man hiding in woods after 3+ mile pursuit that reached 100mph
ONALASKA, Wis. (WFRV) – A western Wisconsin man, who authorities say was out on seven bonds, was taken into custody after a drone found him hiding in the woods after fleeing from a pursuit.
A release from the Holmen Police Department states that a traffic stop was attempted on a vehicle with no license plates near County Road OT and Frontage Road in Onalaska on March 18 around 9:50 p.m.
Officers say the vehicle failed to stop, reportedly fleeing at a high rate of speed north on County Road XX. The driver, later identified as Randy Russel Jr., then allegedly left the road and began driving through a field.
Shortly after, Russel Jr. got out of the vehicle and escaped into a nearby wooded area.
After a perimeter was established, assistance was requested from the Campbell Police Department K9 unit, as well as the Onalaska Police Department for use of its thermal imaging drone.
Roughly 180 feet in the air, officers say the drone spotted Russel Jr. hiding in the woods. He was taken into custody shortly after.
Holmen Police Department Holmen Police Department Holmen Police Department
29-year-old Appleton man arrested in Grand Chute for seventh OWI
Russel Jr., a 50-year-old from La Crosse, was arrested and taken to the La Crosse County Jail on the following charges:
Vehicle Operator Flee/Elude Officer
2nd Degree Reckless Driving – Endangering Safety
5 counts of Felony Bail Jumping
5 counts of Misdemeanor Bail Jumping
Resisting/Obstructing an Officer
It was noted that the pursuit covered roughly 3.6 miles and had speeds that reached around 100 mph.
No additional information was provided.
