Whitewater Police Department seeking multiple charges after weekend chase
The Whitewater Police Department was seeking multiple charges against a suspect who eluded law enforcement after being taken into custody Saturday night.
The WPD responded to a call from a City of Jefferson resident at 10:50 p.m. Saturday.
According to a WPD press release, the resident reported that a 22-year-old Palmyra man, who reportedly violated a court order and who was out on bond from a previous charge, was consuming alcohol at V’s Waterfront Venue, located at 292 S. Wisconsin St. in Whitewater.
The release states that officers located the suspect inside V’s Waterfront and took him into custody. While changing from traditional handcuffs to a transport belt, the suspect ran from officers and entered Cravath Lake.
A search ensued, and the WPD requested boat assistance from additional agencies.
Whitewater Fire & Rescue, the City of Jefferson Fire Department, the Town of Linn Fire Department, the Delavan Fire Department and the Walworth County dive team responded.
Additional resources from the UW-Whitewater Police Department, Walworth County deputies and Janesville’s K-9 Unit also arrived to assist.
According to the news release, the suspect was located within about 30 minutes but continued to evade officers by swimming and concealing himself in the lake. He ultimately was taken into custody just before 2 a.m. on Sunday.
The WPD is seeking charges that included felony escape, bail jumping, resisting/obstructing an officer and violation of probation.
The case was presented to the Walworth County District Attorney’s office Monday.
