By Shereen Siewert
WAUSAU — Members of the SWAT team and nearly a dozen police vehicles surrounded an east side home for nearly an hour Wednesday before taking a wanted suspect into custody.
The heavy police presence was centered around a home near the intersection of 6th Street and Nina Avenue and ended at about 6:15 p.m. A portion of 6th Street was blocked for a short time during the incident but has since reopened.
Police say a 32-year-old suspect sought after a high speed chase through south metro communities and Marathon County is now behind bars. Jerry Toube Vang, who is also known by the nickname “Joker,” was allegedly involved in a high speed chase on April 17 but eluded police. Vang, who was considered armed and dangerous, remained at large until Wednesday.
He was wanted for fleeing and for questioning in an ongoing investigation, police said.
Vang in August 2013 was convicted of sexual assault of a child and battery and was sentenced to five years in prison with 280 days credit for time served while awaiting trial, according to court records. He was released from prison in early November and is now on extended supervision for five years. Violating the terms of his supervision could result in an additional five-year prison term.
Court records show Vang has a string of prior convictions including battery, cocaine possession, and other drug-related charges.
Top photo courtesy of Brian West
