Incident:
On May 31, 2018, the Fitchburg Police Department received information from another law enforcement agency regarding a wanted person from North Dakota who was possibly in the City of Fitchburg. The wanted person, Emmanuel F. Hunter III, was believed to be in the company of two other individuals in a vehicle reported stolen from North Dakota on May 29, 2018. The suspects had been connected to drug and weapons offenses and Hunter had a warrant for a probation violation through North Dakota. Hunter is on probation for escape and aggravated assault for a previous incident in which he strangled a correctional officer unconscious and escaped custody.
On June 1, 2018, at approximately 8 a.m., a Fitchburg officer located the stolen car from North Dakota unoccupied in the 2400 block of Post Road. Hunter and three other subjects entered the vehicle and drove off. A short time later one subject got out of the car at a local grocery store. At this point, officers from the Fitchburg and Madison Police Departments attempted to stop the stolen car.
The vehicle fled the scene and officers pursued the vehicle. The vehicle fled through several Fitchburg neighborhoods. The vehicle fled eastbound on the Beltline with speeds reaching 90 mph. The pursuit continued and went northbound on John Nolen Drive to East Washington Avenue, entering several Madison neighborhoods with speeds as high as 50 mph. The vehicle evaded stop sticks police had put down.
While the vehicle was traveling southbound on South Stoughton Road near Pflaum Road, it spun out and struck another vehicle. Two of the three suspects then fled on foot. One suspect fled towards Glendale Elementary School. That school was immediately put in lockdown and officers responded to the school for security.
The suspect who fled towards the school was located by Fitchburg’s Police K9, Drago. The suspect barricaded himself on the porch of a random residence. Drago was deployed to take him into custody and the suspect began kicking and punching Drago. The suspect was bitten by Drago and taken into custody.
The second suspect who fled was taken into custody after the brief foot chase. The third subject in the car was taken into custody at the crash site and did not resist arrest.
Injuries Reported:
The driver of the vehicle that was struck by the fleeing stolen car received minor injuries and was transported by Madison Fire Rescue to a local hospital.
K9 Drago received a cut to an ear and is being evaluated at a local vet clinic. His injuries do not appear to be serious.
Two Fitchburg Officers received minor injuries during the foot pursuits and were treated and released from a local hospital.
The driver of the stolen car was treated and released at a local hospital for a dog bite.
Arrests:
The following charges will be forwarded to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office:
Hunter III, Emmanuel Floyd, age 22.
Striking a Police K9 (Harassment of a police animal)
Fleeing/Eluding an Officer
Resisting Arrest
Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent
Also held on a parole violation
The Fitchburg Police Department has an open case with Hunter from early May with charges for false imprisonment and battery. These charges will be forwarded to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office.
Moon, Cleaster Letroy, age 23.
Held on a parole violation
Ali, Wali J, age 23.
Resisting Arrest
Held on a probation violation
Ali and Moon were not the other two subjects originally believed to be in the company of Hunter prior to today’s arrest.
Assisting Agencies:
The Fitchburg Police Department was assisted by the Madison Police Department, Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Monona Police Department, and Madison Fire Department.
Case #: 18-7360
Prepared by: Lt. Don Bomkamp