On Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at approximately 8:08 AM, the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a
vehicle pursuit initiated by the Wisconsin State Patrol (WSP) that was entering Dunn County westbound on US Highway 12 toward Elk Mound. The suspect vehicle had reportedly fled after a Trooper
approached it when making a traffic stop. The vehicle crashed into the ditch when exiting the freeway
and then re-entered the roadway and fled westbound toward Dunn County at speeds in excess of 100
MPH.
The suspect vehicle was approaching the Village of Elk Mound and due to the time of day and amount of
traffic, the pursuit was terminated for safety concerns in hopes the suspect would de-escalate his erratic
driving behavior. Numerous Sheriff’s Office personnel responded toward the area. A Sheriff’s Office
Captain clocked the suspect at 107 MPH on Highway 12 westbound as it was nearing the Village of Elk
Mound, even after the pursuit had been stopped.
A Dunn County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to deploy a tire-deflation device (TDD) on the suspect vehicle
after it had traveled through the Village of Elk Mound near Highway 40. The suspect evaded the TDD
driving onto the gravel and grass shoulder; it continued northbound at speeds in excess of 100 MPH. A
short time later, Dunn County Highway Department crews working on Highway 40 reported the vehicle
was still driving erratic, speeding and traveling in the wrong lane.
A Sheriff’s Deputy then attempted to stop the vehicle on CTY TK B north of Menomonie due to the
ongoing reckless driving behaviors but it continued to flee. The Menomonie Police Department (MPD)
attempted to deploy a TDD on CTY TK B near 650th Avenue but were unsuccessful when the suspect
vehicle left the roadway and drove through the ditch to avoid the intervention. The suspect vehicle
continued to drive recklessly through a marked work zone and then entered Interstate 94 traveling
westbound in the eastbound lanes.
The suspect vehicle eventually turned around and exited the freeway into North Menomonie, where it
traveled south at a high rate of speed. It turned onto Elm Avenue West where it stopped and Sheriff’s
Deputies pinned the vehicle in to prevent further escape and reckless behavior.
The driver was apprehended. He was identified as 47 year-old Roosevelt D. Gills of Chicago, IL. Gills
was transported to the Dunn County Jail and held for charges of Felony Flee/Elude Officers, Felony
Recklessly Endangering Safety, Possession of THC, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin,
Possession of Fentanyl, and numerous traffic charges.
