Wisconsin Sex Offender Arrested After Leading Multi-County Police Chase That Ended With PIT Maneuver on I-90
MONONA, WISCONSIN — A registered sex offender with a long criminal record is back behind bars after leading officers on a multi-jurisdiction police chase that stretched across several counties and ended dramatically on Interstate 90, authorities said.
The suspect, 39-year-old Jeffery M. Nelson, was taken into custody early Monday morning following what police described as a lengthy, high-risk pursuit that required multiple law enforcement agencies to coordinate their response.
High-Speed Chase Spans Multiple Jurisdictions
According to the Monona Police Department, the incident began around 1:15 a.m. when officers were alerted to a vehicle entering the city that had previously eluded another agency earlier in the night.
Expecting another pursuit, officers positioned tire deflation devices along Nelson’s projected route. When they attempted a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 12, Nelson initially slowed down as if to comply before suddenly accelerating away, sparking a chase.
Police said he drove erratically through multiple towns, dodging several sets of spike strips before re-entering the highway and speeding east toward Monona.
Officers End Pursuit With PIT Maneuver on I-90
The chase came to an end when officers successfully deployed two sets of tire deflation devices near State Highway 51, flattening Nelson’s tires.
Even with reduced speed, Nelson continued west on Interstate 90 until officers used a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver to force the vehicle to a stop.
Nelson was then arrested during a high-risk stop without further incident.
Suspect Intoxicated and Wanted on Prior Offenses
Authorities said Nelson appeared intoxicated at the scene, though he refused to take field sobriety tests. Officers later obtained a search warrant for a blood draw, and results are pending.
Investigators noted that Nelson is a lifetime registrant on the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry and had absconded from a Dane County jail sentence connected to earlier convictions.
He now faces multiple charges, including:
- Three counts of fleeing or eluding an officer
- Resisting or obstructing an officer
- Operating while intoxicated (first offense)
- Probation violation
- Recklessly endangering safety
Police Praise Coordination Across Departments
Monona Police Chief Chaney commended the quick cooperation among regional officers, emphasizing that the outcome could have been far worse.
“Regardless of the circumstance, we continue to urge individuals to obey the law and stop for police,” Chief Chaney said. “Our priority is keeping the public safe and preventing high-speed pursuits from ending in tragedy.”
The Wisconsin State Patrol and Dane County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the operation.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities review bodycam and dashcam footage from the pursuit. Nelson remains in custody pending formal charges.
Have thoughts about police pursuit safety or recent law enforcement coordination in your area? Join the discussion at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.