Gun-Wielding 19-Year-Old Leads Police on 100 MPH Chase

ST. CROIX COUNTY, WI -- A gun-wielding 19-year-old Illinois man has been arrested after stealing a Minnesota driver's car and leading police on a 100 MPH chase.

Just after 5:30 am Wednesday, a Wisconsin State Trooper stopped a motorist for speeding on I-94 eastbound in St. Croix County.

Upon initial contact with the driver, the Trooper noticed a
pistol lying on the driver’s lap and the Trooper advised the driver to place his hands on the steering
wheel.

According to police, the driver began to make movements to retrieve the firearm, at which point the Trooper grabbed the pistol and removed it. The driver then sped off from the trooper and a pursuit initiated.

The pursuit traveled eastbound into Dunn County on I-94 with speeds exceeding 100 MPH.
Troopers and Dunn County Deputies set up spike strips and were able to successfully deflate one of the front tires of the suspect vehicle, but the vehicle continued at reduced speeds.

The officersattempted to conduct a moving road block at which point the suspect went through the median and began traveling westbound in the westbound lanes of I-94.

A short distance later the suspect
attempted to pass a semi using the right-hand shoulder but ended up driving off into the ditch. The
driver, 19 year old Deonte Gates from Riverdale, IL, exited the vehicle and began to flee on foot but he was quickly apprehended by officers.

It was later determined the vehicle he was operating had been stolen from Minnesota.

Deonte was transported to the Dunn Co. Jail and is currently booked under several charges
including; felony fleeing, operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent and felon in
possession of a firearm.

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