MONROE — Green County deputies arrested several area men on felony charges after multiple incidents in which speeding motorcyclists fled from police attempting to stop them.
One motorcyclist cited by police was clocked going 134 mph.
The incidents forced deputies to make quick decisions about whether to continue to chase the fleeing motorcyclists — weighing the gravity of their alleged offenses with the potential harm to the suspects, the motoring public and the officers that could result from a crash.
On Monday, Aug. 26 deputies arrested Monroe men Nathan G. Castle, 28, and Noah M. McKelvey, 23, at their workplace in Brodhead for their involvement in an Aug. 22 pursuit which reached speeds of more than 75 mph. Meanwhile, deputies also arrested Brandon J. Schirmer, 36, of rural Monroe, at his home for his involvement in an Aug. 19 pursuit where he pushed his motorcycle to over 130 mph.
Schirmer’s incident came just after 7:45 a.m. on Aug. 19 when a deputy on traffic enforcement duty noticed a motorcycle on Wis. 11 near County KK in the Town of Jefferson operating at 134 mph in the posted 55 mph zone. That deputy attempted to stop the motorcycle for the violation.
“The motorcycle fled from the deputy, splitting between vehicles and operating on the shoulder,” authorities said in a statement Aug. 26.
But the pursuit of the motorcycle was terminated on Wis. 59, east of Wis. 11 — after the deputy lost sight of the motorcycle, police said in a statement.
Then, at 8:38 p.m. on Aug. 21, a deputy on Wis. 11 near County G in the Town of Spring Grove observed a motorcycle operating at 93 mph in the 55 mph zone. The deputy attempted to stop that motorcycle for the violation, but the rider fled and a pursuit ensued. The motorcycle was a so-called “sports” bike with no visible plate, and the operator was wearing a dark colored jacket and helmet, police said.
The pursuit was terminated on Wis. 81 at County T after the deputy lost sight of the motorcycle, according to the statement.
The next day, on Thursday, Aug. 22, two deputies were performing traffic enforcement on Wis. 11 near County KK in the town of Jefferson due to the previous pursuit. At 3:23 p.m., the deputies observed two motorcycles going 75 mph in the posted 55 mph zone. They attempted to stop them, but they too fled. The pursuit entered the City of Monroe on 18th Avenue.
“At that time Deputies terminated the pursuit as the risk to the public was greater than the severity of the offense,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement
Following the pursuit on Aug. 22 the sheriff’s office shared an image of the motorcycles captured on squad dash camera, asking the public to provide information that could assist in the investigation. Through tips and detective work, operators of the motorcycles on August 19 and 22 were identified, according to authorities.
Castle, McKelvey and Schirmer were taken to Green County Jail where they are held awaiting their initial court appearance on the felony charge of Knowingly Flee an Officer.
Sheriff Cody Kanable on Aug. 29 said the incidents were troubling for law enforcement, and that they never like to terminate a chase. But, they are trained to know exactly when the pursuit should be terminated for reasons of public safety.
“It puts a lot of people in danger,” Kanable said. “It’s a split-second decision they (deputies) have to make.”
He added that deputies are more likely to chase motorists for severe crimes, such anything involving violence or ongoing threats to the public. Chases involving motorcycles also are more likely to end in a fatality, experts say.
In addition to the charges, deputies subsequently seized the suspect’s motorcycles as evidence.
Bond for Castle, charged with two felony counts of fleeing to elude, was set at $1,000. A $1,000 bond also was set for McKelvey, who was charged with felony fleeing and possession of THC. Bond for Schirmer, charged with felony fleeing to elude, was set at $500.
“The Sheriff’s Office is committed to safety on our roadways and apprehending those drivers that operate in a dangerous manner,” the statement said. “Sheriff’s deputies will continue to participate in high visibility enforcement with the goal to get drivers to buckle up, slow down and drive sober.”
Those with information related the pursuit on Aug. 21, which is still unsolved, are urged to provide information through Green County Crime Stoppers. Green County Crime Stoppers can be contacted via https://www.greencountycrimestoppers.com/, or by calling 1-800-I-C-CRIME.