Chase has a shocking end

Suspect Tasered after high-speed pursuit

A suspected five-time drunken driver sped away from sheriff’s deputies in his car and on foot Sunday, but was eventually apprehended with the help of a Taser and charged with two felonies.

Edward F. Point, 41, of Salem, is charged in Racine County Circuit Court with operating while intoxicated-fifth or sixth offense and fleeing/eluding officers as a result of the incident that began in the Town of Burlington.

Point appeared in court Tuesday where officials found probable cause to schedule further court proceedings.

According to a media release issued by the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy clocked a 1998 Nissan Altima at 76 mph in a 55 mph zone on South Pine Street (Highway 83). The deputy stopped the vehicle on Karcher Road, just east of Highway 83.

The deputy reported that as he spoke with the driver – later identified as Point – he immediately detected a strong odor of intoxicants. The deputy asked Point if he had been drinking alcoholic beverages, to which he replied he had not, according to the criminal complaint.

The deputy then called for backup and conducted a check of Point’s license, learning he had four prior convictions for drunken driving and his driving privileges were currently suspended.

Once the backup arrived the deputies began to approach Point’s vehicle again only to have him speed off toward Highway W upon which he traveled south into Kenosha County.

The deputies pursued Point’s vehicle at speeds estimated at as high as 100 mph for nearly five miles before Point abruptly pulled into a gravel driveway at 7729 328th Avenue, causing the squad car to collide with his vehicle, according to the criminal complaint.

Point allegedly jumped out of the car and began to run toward a wooded area, ignoring shouts from a deputy to stop.

The deputy eventually caught up to Point and used his Taser to subdue him before making the arrest.

Once in the squad car, Point allegedly told the deputy, “I only ran because I have not gotten the Nissan registered in my name yet.”

The complaint also alleges that Point asked the deputy, “Did you find my bottle of Rumple Minze? You know the bottle that I threw in the woods after exiting my car?

Point appeared in court Tuesday where he was granted release on $5,000 cash bond on the conditions that he not drive or posses or consume alcohol and submit to random alcohol screening.

A preliminary hearing in the matter is set for Dec. 12 at 8:30 a.m. in Racine County Circuit Court.