MONROE — A Michigan man was arrested early Sunday morning after stealing a local ambulance and leading police on a brief chase east on Wis. 11.
On Sunday, April 12 at 2:33 a.m. Green County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a welfare check on an individual, identified as Shannon A. Szukala, 43, of Middleville, Michigan, sitting alongside Wis. 11 west of County KK in the Town of Monroe, approximately 1/2 mile east of the City of Monroe.
“Upon deputies contacting the individual, it was determined the individual was known to deputies from earlier contacts and that he was requesting an ambulance for an injury,” Sheriff Cody Kanable said in a press release. “Deputies requested the 911 Communications Center alert an ambulance to the scene.”
Green County EMS was alerted and responded.
“While deputies were with Szukala awaiting EMS arrival, Szukala walked away from deputies along the highway. Green County EMS arrived on scene at 2:56 a.m. and made contact with Szukala. During that contact Szukala fled from EMS personnel, entered the ambulance and drove it away, going eastbound on State Hwy 11,” Kanable said.
Sheriff’s Deputies immediately began to pursue the ambulance in their squads. The vehicle pursuit stayed on Wis. 11 going eastbound toward the City of Brodhead. The vehicle pursuit of the ambulance reached speeds of 55 mph and spanned approximately 11.5 miles. Brodhead Police assisted deputies with the pursuit by utilizing a pursuit intervention technique of tire deflation device.
The ambulance struck the tire deflation device, deflating a tire.
“The pursuit intervention was successful on State Hwy 11 east of Mt. Hope Road in the Town of Spring Grove,” Kanable said.
Szukala turned eastbound on Wis. 81 then turned onto Clarence Lane. Szukala began to travel off the roadway when the ambulance became disabled. He then exited the ambulance where he failed to follow lawful commands from deputies, fleeing on foot from deputies through a residential yard. Deputies pursued Szukala and were able to contain him.
“Szukala refused to follow commands and a deputy utilized a less lethal electronic control weapon (TASER) to incapacitate him, allowing deputies to take him into custody without further incident,” Kanable said.
Szukala was evaluated at SSM Monroe Hospital’s Emergency Department and transported to the Green County Jail. The ambulance sustained damage from the incident and was towed from the scene.
“No other vehicles were damaged and no people were injured as a result of this incident. Sheriff’s deputies performed very well and I commend them for bringing the incident to an end with no further risk to public safety,” Kanable added.
Szukala was booked into the Green County Jail. His initial court day was April 14 with charges for:
● Take and Drive Vehicle w/o Consent (felony)
● Vehicle Operator Flee/Elude Officer (felony)
● Resisting or Obstructing an Officer (misdemeanor)
Public attorney Jane Krueger Smith appeared in court for Szukala, who left the jail’s Zoom Room prior to his rights being read to him, according to court documents. A cash bond was set but he refused to sign. His next court appearance is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22.
Charges on traffic violations were also filed for interfering with a closed highway, failure to stop at a stop sign and operating left of center. Szukala’s pending court date on those charges is scheduled for May 11.