Multi-County Pursuit Ends in Merrill; Antigo Man Arrested
A high-speed pursuit involving multiple stolen vehicles and law enforcement agencies across several Wisconsin counties ended on East Main Street in Merrill Thursday afternoon with a crash, a seriously injured sheriff’s deputy and the arrest of a 44-year-old Antigo man.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were alerted Thursday morning to a stolen vehicle connected to a high-speed pursuit through Shawano, Menominee and Langlade counties. The suspect allegedly abandoned one stolen vehicle and took another.
Authorities later learned the suspect had traveled to Minocqua, where approximately $1,000 in cash was reportedly stolen from another vehicle. Shortly before 12:30 p.m., a Flock Safety camera alert indicated the latest stolen vehicle had entered Lincoln County southbound on U.S. Highway 51 from U.S. Highway 8. Deputies located the vehicle near Irma and attempted a traffic stop. The driver failed to stop, leading to another high-speed pursuit south toward Merrill.
A Merrill police officer deployed spike strips on Lincoln County Highway K north of Merrill, deflating two of the vehicle’s tires. However, the suspect continued into the city and traveled along several streets. After turning onto East Main Street, the vehicle struck another motorist. A Lincoln County deputy then used a Pursuit Intervention Technique, or PIT maneuver, to stop the vehicle. The suspect fled on foot but was apprehended after a brief pursuit.
The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment at the scene. A Lincoln County deputy sustained a serious hand injury requiring surgery.
The suspect was identified as 44-year-old Joshua D. Micke of Antigo. According to the Sheriff’s Office, he was booked into the Lincoln County Jail on charges including felony fleeing an officer causing bodily harm, operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, resisting or obstructing an officer causing substantial bodily harm, first-degree reckless endangerment and hit-and-run causing injury. Additional charges include operating after revocation related to OWI and causing bodily harm by reckless driving. He also had an outstanding Langlade County warrant and a Department of Corrections probation or parole warrant.
The Merrill Police Department assisted with the pursuit and is handling the crash reports involving the other motorist and a Sheriff’s Office squad vehicle. The complete incident details are available through the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
