Michael Hoffman Arrested After Stealing Vehicle and Fleeing Police Across State Lines
A 36-year-old man from Illinois, Michael Hoffman, was arrested following a cross-state police chase after allegedly stealing a vehicle in Wisconsin and driving it into Illinois.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin reported that Hoffman stole the vehicle early Thursday morning near I-90/04/39. The incident began when an automated crash detection alert was received from a cell phone, but deputies initially found no crash.
Shortly after, a woman called dispatch from a Days Inn in the Town of Caledonia, reporting that Hoffman, an acquaintance, had stolen her vehicle and taken her phone and money. During his escape, Hoffman threw her phone onto the interstate, triggering the crash alert.
Authorities tracked the stolen vehicle from Wisconsin to Illinois. The Wisconsin State Patrol located and attempted to stop Hoffman near Janesville, but he fled, prompting a pursuit that was later discontinued before reaching Illinois.
In Illinois, the South Beloit Police Department attempted to stop Hoffman, but he continued driving for about 20 miles toward Rockford before the chase was terminated east of the city.
Illinois State Police and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search after Hoffman fled on foot but were unsuccessful in finding him.
Columbia County detectives identified Hoffman with help from Dekalb police. Hoffman was subsequently arrested by Dekalb officers after charges were filed for theft of movable property and unauthorized vehicle use.
He is currently held in Winnebago County Jail in Rockford, Illinois, awaiting extradition to Wisconsin for prosecution.
