MOUNT HOREB - A suspect in a Madison stabbing is in jail after authorities say he stole two vehicles, took a hostage and led deputies from four counties on a harrowing chase that included the Hollandale area.
Thirty-six-year-old James Kruger was captured near Mount Horeb Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 10 after crashing the stolen car he was driving. He was not hurt.
The chase began in Grant County, after Kruger reportedly went to a residence in Cassville, assaulted a man and took several firearms. Officials took a report of shots being fired near the village and began searching for Kruger. The suspect took the owner of a truck and its cattle trailer hostage and drove to Iowa County. Kruger dumped the trailer, and released the hostage unharmed in Dodgeville, law enforcement officials said.
Kruger was later spotted in the Hollandale area. Pecatonica and Barneveld schools locked their doors during the incident as a precaution. He stole another vehicle near Barneveld.
Law enforcement from Dane, Iowa, Grant and Lafayette counties were involved in the chase. A Wisconsin State Patrol helicopter also tracked Kruger.
Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney says the car overturned after hitting road spikes placed by deputies.
Wisconsin 151 was closed for an hour after the crash because of concerns Kruger may have placed an explosive device in the car.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports Kruger was arrested last Wednesday in Dane County on a felony charge of eluding an officer. He was wanted by Madison police after allegedly stabbing a 48-year-old man Monday. He was released on a signature bond Sept. 4, after an assistant district attorney mistakenly thought Kruger would be held on a probation hold, according to the Dane County District Attorney's office.
Thirty-six-year-old James Kruger was captured near Mount Horeb Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 10 after crashing the stolen car he was driving. He was not hurt.
The chase began in Grant County, after Kruger reportedly went to a residence in Cassville, assaulted a man and took several firearms. Officials took a report of shots being fired near the village and began searching for Kruger. The suspect took the owner of a truck and its cattle trailer hostage and drove to Iowa County. Kruger dumped the trailer, and released the hostage unharmed in Dodgeville, law enforcement officials said.
Kruger was later spotted in the Hollandale area. Pecatonica and Barneveld schools locked their doors during the incident as a precaution. He stole another vehicle near Barneveld.
Law enforcement from Dane, Iowa, Grant and Lafayette counties were involved in the chase. A Wisconsin State Patrol helicopter also tracked Kruger.
Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney says the car overturned after hitting road spikes placed by deputies.
Wisconsin 151 was closed for an hour after the crash because of concerns Kruger may have placed an explosive device in the car.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports Kruger was arrested last Wednesday in Dane County on a felony charge of eluding an officer. He was wanted by Madison police after allegedly stabbing a 48-year-old man Monday. He was released on a signature bond Sept. 4, after an assistant district attorney mistakenly thought Kruger would be held on a probation hold, according to the Dane County District Attorney's office.