On March 21, 2021, at 9:50 p.m., a Pleasant Prairie Police Officer observed a vehicle with illegal registration headed westbound on State Trunk Highway 50 (STH 50) from 45th Street. The officer attempted to stop the suspect vehicle, but the driver continued westbound on STH 50 at speeds above 80 mph.
The suspect vehicle fled southbound on Green bay Road. Additional Pleasant Prairie squads set up to deploy Stop Sticks with a specific design that allowed law enforcement to deflate the suspect vehicles' tires during pursuits safely. The suspect vehicle struck the deployed Stop Sticks, causing three of the tires to deflate. The suspects eventually rolled to a stop in the 9500 block of Green Bay Road.
Officers searched the suspect's vehicle and located marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and over $12,000 in cash. The driver, a 29-year-old Grayslake man, was taken into custody on charges including Fleeing/Eluding an Officer, Possession of THC with Intent to Deliver, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The passenger was not arrested and released by officers.
Throughout 2020 and into 2021, Pleasant Prairie Police have seen a dramatic increase in pursuits and have taken measures to end them safely when possible. Officers have training in the use of the Stop Sticks; they have deployed these tire deflation devices during numerous pursuits to increase the possibility of ending dangerous pursuits safely and quickly to decrease risks to the public and officers.