Suspect In High Speed Chase Eludes Capture
Sunday, November 3rd, 2013 -- 7:28 AM
On Saturday at approximately 4:20 p.m. a complainant in the Township of Washington called the Eau Claire Communications Center to report a traffic complaint and possible intoxicated vehicle operator. The complainant reported that a yellow pick-up truck was observed driving off road, through yards in the area and that it nearly struck a child riding a bicycle. It was further reported that the complainant observed intoxicants inside the pick-up truck.An Eau Claire County Sheriff's Deputy was in the area of the call and responded to investigate the traffic complaint. While enroute, the responding Deputy located a yellow pick-up truck near the intersection of Schumacher Rd and S. Elco Rd. and the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle for further investigation.
The Sheriff's Deputy attempted to stop the yellow pick-up. The operator of the pick-up failed to stop and accelerated to a high rate of speed - the yellow pick up failed to stop for a stop sign and crossed busy highway 12 at speeds near 100 MPH.
The Deputy was able to maintain pursuit of the pick-up. The pick-up truck operator eventually exited the residential neighborhoods and continued traveling eastbound.
After entering the park, the fleeing pick-up operator drove the pick-up off road, onto rugged trails in the woods. Based on the terrain, the pursuing Deputy was unable to continue the pursuit.
In performing their canvass, they located the yellow pick-up truck unoccupied and abandoned in the woods. The pick-up truck was removed from the woods and impounded by means of a local tow and recovery service.
Further investigation into the incident revealed that the operator of the pick-up truck was a Keith A. Tidmarsh. Keith is a white male and has a date of birth of 09/07/1980. He was accompanied by passenger Jonathan G. Vold. Jonathan is a white male with a date of birth of 07-28-1981.
Keith Tidmarsh is currently not in custody and is wanted by the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office for numerous criminal charges, related to this incident. Jonathan Vold is not a suspect in this incident at this time and is only of interest to the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office as a potential witness.
If the public sees or knows the whereabouts of Tidmarsh, they are encouraged to call the Eau Claire Communications unit's non- emergency number of 715-839-4972.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.