On March 25, 2017, law enforcement took Joshua Denetz of Weyerhauser, WI into custody after a high-speed chase which spanned 37 miles at speeds in excess of 100 mph.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Barron County Circuit Court on March 24, 2017, at around 11:00 pm, a Cumberland Wisconsin Police Officer saw a red Chevy Impala with a headlight out driving in the City of Cumberland near the US Bank and activated the squad car's lights and siren to indicate to the driver of the Impala to pull over. However, the Impala drove on until it reached the Cumberland Subway store where it parked. The officer saw the driver of the Impala get out and run from the scene.
The passenger in the Impala spoke to the officer and identified herself and also told the officer that the driver who had run away was Joshua Denetz. The officer contacted Barron County Dispatch and was advised that Denetz had an arrest warrant active in Barron County.
The passenger also gave officers the street address of the residence where she and Denetz had been earlier that evening. When officers checked the residence, Denetz was not there, however, later than night just before 2:00 am on March 25, 2017, Barron County Dispatch received a call from a female at that residence stating that Denetz was back and was attempting to drive a truck out of the yard.
The criminal complaint continues, stating that officers arrived on scene and saw Denetz inside a pickup truck which was stuck in some mud in the back yard of the residence. Denetz managed to get the truck out of the mud and sped off, turning east onto Highway 48 and increasing his speed up to 100 miles per hour.
Barron County Sheriff's Department assisted with the pursuit, deploying spike strips on Highway 48, which Denetz struck with his truck, causing a front tire to blow out. The Rice Lake Police Department also assisted, deploying more spike strips and when Denetz entered the City of Rice Lake, he also struck those with the truck, causing the other front tire of the pickup truck to blow out.
The criminal complaint continues stating that Denetz continued to flee from officers, traveling at speeds 'upwards of 80 miles per hour' into Rusk County.
Denetz reached Weyerhauser, WI and attempted evasive maneuvers around some buildings, and ultimately ended up getting the pickup truck stuck in the mud.
A Barron County Sheriff's Department Deputy placed Denetz under arrest, despite Denetz's attempts to resist arrest.
Because Denetz was traveling at such high rates of speed and driving without front tires, the Barron County Sheriff's Deputy's squad sustained damage to the front grill, front bumper, hood and windshield areas from metal debris hitting the squad car during the pursuit.
The Barron County District Attorney's Office filed a charge of Vehicle Operator Fleeing an Officer, Causing Damage to Property, a Class H Felony. The charge also includes an enhancer because Denetz was previously convicted of Vehicle Operator Fleeing from an Officer in April of 2013 in a Polk County Circuit Court case. The criminal complaint states that the enhancer means that Denetz's potential sentence, if convicted of the charge, could be increased from a maximum of 6 years in state prison to a possible maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison.
Public record shows that Denetz also has felony charges in Barron County Circuit Court for 2 counts of Felony Forgery.
Denetz appeared in Barron County Circuit Court on March 28, 2017, for an Initial Appearance before the Hon. J.M. Bitney on this charge and was placed on a $2,500 cash bail bond. His next court appearance is set for April 5, 2017, for a preliminary examination hearing.
DrydenWire.com will continue to update the community on this situation when any significant activity or progress develops.
DrydenWire.com reminds our readers that arrested or charged individuals are presumed innocent until convicted by judge or jury.
Last Update: Mar 29, 2017 8:17 am CDT
