Janesville police involved in two pursuits
JANESVILLE--Janesville police were involved in two traffic pursuits after midnight Wednesday.
The first incident occurred at 12:32 a.m. Thursday when an officer tried to stop a speeding motorcyclist, said Sgt. Aaron Ellis.
But when the motorcyclist accelerated up to speeds of 80 mph, “the officer discontinued the pursuit based on the severity of the offense,” he said.
As the motorcyclist continued south on Beloit Avenue, it was estimated he crossed the Highway 11 bypass at speeds in exceeds of 100 mph, Ellis said.
“We were unable to identify that driver,” Ellis said.
The second pursuit happened at 1:30 a.m. Thursday when an officer stopped a suspected impaired driver at Milwaukee and River Streets. When the officer got out of his squad car and began to approach the vehicle, the driver took off, Ellis said.
Police chased the driver down River Street onto Rockport Road and west out of town at speeds up to 70 mph for 8 miles. Spike strips thrown onto Highway 11 stopped the car but the driver fled on foot, he said.
“We’re looking for a Janesville man, who was identified by his passengers, as the known operator of the vehicle,” Ellis said.
