4/25/2025

VILAS / ONEIDA COUNTY - A police chase that started in Vilas County ended in Oneida County last night, with the suspect being air lifted to a Wausau hospital.  It started when Vilas Co. deputies responded to a welfare check in the Township of Lincoln at around 5:00pm. When they arrived, an armed man was sitting in the vehicle. After getting agitated with deputies, he sped away.  Police used Spike strips to try and stop the suspects’ vehicle, but officers lost sight of the vehicle because of road conditions and limited visibility.  The suspect then stole another vehicle and led officers on a chase on State Highway 70 westbound, then south on U.S. Highway 45. 20 miles later, the vehicle crashed on State Highway 17 in Oneida County.  Bean bag rounds were fired to break open the window and pepper balls were used. The suspect was taken into custody.  He was taken to St. Mary’s in Rhinelander, then taken by helicopter to Aspirus in Wausau.  The incident is under investigation. The name of the suspect has not been released.