WAUSAU — A 30-year-old Schofield man accused of leading officers from two local departments and crashing into trees at the Wausau Country Club is due in court Tuesday for an initial appearance.
Police say the chase began at about 11 p.m. Saturday in Weston when a Marathon County Sheriff deputy tried to pull over a vehicle driven by Maxwell Philavanh for driving without registration lamps. Philavanh then allegedly fled, leading the deputy and officers from the Everest Metro Police Department on a four-mile chase at a high rate of speed.
Police eventually used stop sticks to slow Philavanh’s vehicle and the vehicle chase ended when the suspect slammed into a group of trees adjacent to the club, located at 208 Country Club Road in Schofield. But the chase didn’t stop there, as Philavanh fled on foot through the golf course, police said.
K-9 officers helped track Philavanh, who was arrested about two hours later at a gas station on Bus. Hwy. 51.
Prosecutors filed charges Monday in Marathon County Circuit Court against Philavanh of fleeing an officer, resisting or obstructing an officer and bail jumping. He was also cited for driving with a suspended license.
Court records show Philavanh was out on bond at the time of his arrest early Sunday, with two open cases in Marathon County. In March, Philavanh faced charges of possession of marijuana as a repeat offender and was released on a $400 signature bond.
But three months later, Philavanh was arrested again and was charged with possession of amphetamine with intent to deliver, manufacturing or delivering amphetamine, resisting or obstructing an officer and bail jumping. According to court filings, Philavanh was freed after posting a $4,000 cash bond. He has several prior felony convictions on his record.
Philavanh, who is being held in the Marathon County Jail, is due in court at 2 p.m. Tuesday, when a judge will set a new bond amount.
