Authorities lose track of BRF escapees

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BLACK RIVER FALLS - Two escapees from the state prison in Black River Falls reportedly stole four vehicles, kidnapped a woman, and got into a police chase. But Monroe County Sheriff Pete Quinn said officers lost track of them and quote, “They’re gone.”

Eighteen-year-old James Misleveck and 29-year-old James Newman walked away from the minimum-security lockup late Tuesday night. Authorities said they stole a shotgun-and-ammunition from a nearby vehicle. They then took another car and went to the Ho-Chunk Casino near Black River Falls, where they kidnapped a woman at gunpoint and made her drive to Tomah. Officials said she was shaken but otherwise okay when she was released at a Kwik Trip in Tomah.

Police said the two then stole an unlocked pickup truck across the street from the store. An officer found it, and a chase ensued in Monroe County until Newman and Misleveck abandoned the vehicle and ran into a cornfield. A search of that area by officers turned up nothing. Finally, officials said the men stole a car from a driveway in Clifton between 11 p.m. last night and 5 a.m. this morning. Sheriff Quinn said officers have no idea where the two suspects are now. A search is not being concentrated in any specific county. Quinn said the shotgun was recovered, but the men should still be considered armed-and-dangerous.

Tags: western wisconsin, news, wisconsin, crime