WAUSAU PILOT AND REVIEW
MERRILL — A 25-year-old man is in custody following a high speed chase early Monday in Merrill, according to a news release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department.
Just after midnight Monday a caller reported a suspicious vehicle parked on the dead end of 14th Street in the city of Merrill. A deputy from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department located the vehicle but the driver fled at a high rate of speed, according to the release.
The vehicle traveled eastbound on CTH G in the town of Pine River, reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph, police said. During the chase, the pursuing deputy spotted a backpack being tossed from the vehicle. The backpack, which was found a short time later, contained drug paraphernalia and a large amount of money, police said.
After stopping the vehicle at Town Line Road the driver left the vehicle and fled on foot into the woods. A K9 officer located the man, who is from River Falls, hiding under a pile of dirt and leaves.
The man, whose name has not yet been released, is being held in the Lincoln County Jail on preliminary charges of fleeing an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and a probation violation. Police say he will also face several traffic citations.
