Suspect in custody on $10,000 cash bond

Branden P.J. Lindsay, 23, Manawa, is charged with fleeing an officer, misdemeanor bail jumping and operating after revocation of his license.

At 7:42 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, Waupaca County deputy James Santiago saw a black 2000 Volkswagen sedan parked at a Royalton gas station. He recognized the driver as Lindsay from prior contacts.

Lindsay had an active warrant from Washington County for failure to appear in court on Oct. 16 on charges of operating while revoked, failure to install an ignition interlock and misdemeanor bail jumping.

The license plate reportedly did not belong to the Volkswagen.

According to the criminal complaint, Lindsay left the gas station at a high rate of speed.

Santiago activated his emergency lights and siren and pursued the vehicle east on State Highway 54.

The deputy noted the Volkswagen had a loud muffler and a defective tail light.

The deputy’s squad car reached speeds of 80 mph, and the vehicle continued to pull away.

During the chase, Lindsay’s vehicle ran stop signs, crossed the center line, entered a ditch and a corn field, then returned to the highway.

Santiago terminated the pursuit after the vehicle entered Outagamie County.

Later that night, Santiago saw a dark sedan on U.S. Highway 45, traveling in the wrong direction.

The vehicle had a loud muffler and a defective tail light, the complaint says.

Santiago turned around and began to pursue the vehicle.

Because Santiago had activated his lights and siren again, other cars moved over to the shoulder to let him pass.

After he passed a line of cars along side the highway, Santiago noticed the Volkswagen pull out from the shoulder and drive behind him.

Santiago attempted to block the Volkswagen by going back and forth in front of it.

However, the Volkswagen made it past the squad car and continued to flee on U.S. 45.

Mechanical failure caused the vehicle to gradually come to a stop.

As the vehicle was rolling at approximately 5-10 mph, the driver opened the door, jumped out and ran into a farm field.

Santiago parked his squad car in front of the rolling Volkswagen and deployed K9 Cuda into the field to pursue Lindsay.

Lindsay surrendered.

In addition to his criminal charges, Lindsay was cited for eight traffic violations as a result of the Dec. 19 incident.

He remains in custody on a $10,000 cash bond.