By Shereen Siewert
Two people are in custody after police seized about 290 pounds of marijuana, three firearms and two stun guns following two separate chases through four Wisconsin counties, according to the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department.
The pursuits both originated near Osseo on Thursday, when DCI agents, State Patrol troopers and members of the Marathon County Special Investigations Unit attempted to stop two vehicles suspected of transporting a large amount of illegal contraband, according to a news release.
One suspect driving a GMC Yukon, later identified as 32-year-old Joel J. Helding of Tomahawk, was driving a GMC Yukon, fled westbound into Osseo. After a short pursuit exited his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot before he was captured, police said.
The second vehicle, a Subaru Forester driven by 25-year-old Valerie A. Flores of Wausau, was traveling eastbound on Hwy. 10 when troopers tried to make a stop. Police say Flores led officers on a 30-mile chase through Trempealeau, Jackson, Eau Claire and Clark Counties before troopers used a “pursuit intervention technique” maneuver to stop the vehicle.
Police located the drugs and weapons when they searched both vehicles, according to the release.
Both Helding and Flores were booked into the Trempealeau County Jail for DOC warrants, felony eluding, possession with intent to deliver THC, felon in possession of a firearm, and other misdemeanor and traffic charges.
The case remains under investigation.
The Marathon County Special Investigations Unit is made up of members of the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department, Wausau Police Department and Everest Metro Police Department.
