OSSEO -- Approximately 290 pounds of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, three firearms & two stun guns were recovered after two separate pursuits that originated near Osseo yesterday.
On Thursday, January 18, DCI Agents and members of the Marathon County Special Investigations Unit requested assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol in stopping two vehicles suspected of transporting a large amount of illegal contraband. The Marathon County Special Investigations Unit is comprised of members of the Marathon County Sheriffs Department, Wausau Police Department and Everest Metro Police Department.
Four units from the State Patrol along with units from Osseo PD, Trempealeau County S.O. and Strum PD assisted DCI and the Marathon County Special Investigations Unit in attempting to stop both suspect vehicles near Osseo. One suspect, driving a GMC Yukon, fled westbound into Osseo and after a short pursuit the suspect exited his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Troopers were able to subdue the man without incident.
The second vehicle, a Subaru Forester, fled eastbound on US 10 and led officers on a 30 mile chase through Trempealeau, Jackson, Eau Claire, and Clark Counties. The female suspect turned onto CTH B in Clark County where the State Patrol was able to perform a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver to induce the vehicle to stop. The female driver was taken into custody without incident.
Search warrants were obtained and the suspect vehicles were searched for contraband. Both drivers were booked into the Trempealeau County Jail for DOC warrants, felony eluding, possession with intent to deliver THC, felon in possession of a firearm, and other misdemeanor and traffic charges.
The driver of the Yukon was identified as Joel J. Helding, age 32, from Tomahawk, WI. The driver of the Forester was identified as Valerie A. Flores, age 25, from Wausau, WI.
The agencies involved were the Marathon County Special Investigations Unit, DCI, Merrill Police Department, Strum PD, Trempealeau County Sheriffs Department, Clark County Sheriffs Department, Jackson County Sheriffs Department and Wisconsin State Patrol.
The case remains under investigation
Last Update: Jan 19, 2018 7:26 pm CST
