by Kevin Zimmermann
(WHBL) – A suspected drug transaction in Manitowoc ended in Sheboygan after a wild and challenging pursuit involving 5 law enforcement agencies. The drug exchange was witnessed on Washington Street at about 5:30 Tuesday afternoon by a Manitowoc Police officer, who followed two suspects and attempted a stop as they drove north – the wrong way – on one-way South 10th Street. However the suspect’s Trailblazer evaded the officer and took another wrong-way turn onto South 8th against traffic, temporarily ending the chase.
A Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Investigator again picked up the vehicle as it made yet another wrong-way move going westbound on the eastbound lanes of Calumet Avenue – a divided highway – prompting another stop attempt. This time the suspects fled southbound on Highway 42, briefly exiting onto the dead-end Fricke Drive where it doubled back, intentionally striking one of the pursuing squad cars.
The chase then went towards Sheboygan at speeds up to 105 MPH. As law enforcement performed one of three so-called “Pursuit Intervention Techniques” to stop the vehicle, it collided with a parked vehicle without injuries, and the suspect was arrested in the 1200 block of North 28th Street in Sheboygan.
34-year-old Michael Bowen of Sheboygan is now in the Manitowoc County Jail for Operating While Intoxicated, Felony Fleeing, and First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety. His 60-year-old passenger from Sheboygan was questioned and released.
The Manitowoc and Sheboygan County Sheriffs Offices, Manitowoc and Sheboygan Police Departments and the Wisconsin State Patrol all participated in the incident.
