MANITOWOC COUNTY (NBC 26) — Two people are under arrest following a chase with deputies that injured a police dog.
In the early morning hours on Saturday, deputies with the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office chased after a vehicle the sheriff's office said was stolen. The reportedly stolen 2003 Toyota Highlander was driving recklessly on Highway 10 near Village Drive in Manitowoc Rapids.
The driver, identified as 28-year-old Juan Flores, is accused of driving up to speeds of 100 mph during the chase, heading westbound on Highway 10. Upon entering Reedsville, the vehicle turned onto a dead-end road. The sheriff's office said the vehicle rammed police vehicles, causing damage and airbags to deploy. According to the sheriff's office, Flores then got out and ran away before being apprehended.
The sheriff's office said the passenger, identified as 20-year-old Jessica Loney, got into the driver's seat and used the vehicle to push two squad cars away before driving off. In doing so, the sheriff's office said she pinched a K9 in-between two vehicles and nearly hit deputies.
Deputies chased after her, finally using a P.I.T. maneuver that caused the vehicle to go into a ditch. Loney got out and was immediately arrested.
Flores and Loney both face charges of reckless endangerment, fleeing an officer and operating a vehicle without the owner's consent, along with various other charges. Loney is also facing several drug possession charges.
A deputy and the K9, named Leon, were treated for minor injuries.
The Manitowoc County Sheriff Dan Hartwig released a professional photo of Leon (below). In an email to NBC 26, Sheriff Hartwig said K9 Leon had what is believed to be minor internal injuries. The dog will be resting for the next week.
