November 6, 2017 at 4:36 p.m.
Antigo man accused of stealing multiple vehicles, fleeing from police
Antigo man accused of stealing multiple vehicles, fleeing from police
By Kayla Thomason-
Michael K. Fermanich, 22, has been charged with taking a motor vehicle without owner's consent, a Class H felony; two counts of attempting to flee or elude a traffic officer, both Class I felonies; obstructing an officer, a Class A misdemeanor; and failure to obey traffic officer/signal, also a misdemeanor.
According to the criminal complaint, Oneida County dispatch received a teletype from Langlade County at approximately 10:18 p.m. Sept. 30 reporting multiple stolen vehicles. The first vehicle was stolen from a tavern in Antigo and abandoned at a different tavern where another vehicle was stolen, the complaint states. That vehicle was later ditched at a tavern in Gleason and a third vehicle was taken.
Due to the path of stolen vehicles, officers believed the suspect was heading to Rhinelander.
Officers were stationed at State Highway 17 South and U.S. Highway 8, one facing east on Boyce Drive and the other facing west, when the suspect vehicle approached in the straight lane.
The vehicle quickly shifted to the turn lane to go north on Hwy. 47, the complaint states.
The officers activated their emergency lights but the driver, later identified as Fermanich, did not pull over or slow down, but rather sped up to 60 and 70 mph going east down Kemp Street, ignoring traffic lights, the officers said.
He attempted to turn left at the intersection of Kemp Street and Oneida Avenue, lost control and ended up facing south on Oneida Avenue, the complaint states. He continued driving at approximately 60 mph, running through the red lights at Hwy. 8 and continuing down Hwy. G.
As the chase continued, officers observed Fermanich's speed vary from 45 to 100 mph, the complaint states.
A Three Lakes officer prepared spike strips at Co. Hwy. Q and Hwy. 45.
The vehicle and the pursuing officers approached Co. Hwy. Q and Dump Road, which is nearly a 90-degree angle. At that point, the suspect vehicle attempted to make the turn but ended up in the ditch, according to the complaint.
Officers approached the vehicle with their weapons drawn but Fermanich came out with his hands in the air and complied with officers' commands.
After Fermanich was handcuffed he made a comment that he was running and said he was "about to be sacrificed."
When officers asked for his name he stated his name was "Ben." When asked for his last name he replied "I can't remember, but I can let you know tonight."
A Langlade County officer then asked Fermanich what his name was and he gave them his true name.
According to the complaint, officers did not smell intoxicants coming from Fermanich, but noted that he was yawning. Fermanich then made another comment about running. When the officers asked who he is running from, he replied "I can't tell you," and then "Maybe God."
Officers asked him if he had taken drugs and he denied it. However, the complaint states officers received a report from Langlade County that Fermanich was "tweaking out on drugs earlier."
Fermanich also did not know where he was, and at that point officers requested a DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) perform an evaluation.
Fermanich was taken to Ascension St. Mary's Hospital, where he agreed to a chemical test of his blood. He was then transported to jail.
When the officer who transported him was leaving the jail, Fermanich said "Well, they're just gonna get my grandmother." The officer asked Fermanich to clarify but he responded with "Don't worry about it."
Accoridng to online court records, Fermanich waived his right to a preliminary hearing during a court appearance Oct. 30 and entered not guilty pleas to the criminal charges.
His next court appearance is set for Dec. 12. In addition to the charges in Oneida County, Langlade County will be pursuing three counts of operating a motor vehicle without owner's consent.
If convicted on the charge of operating a motor vehicle without owner's consent, Fermanich may be fined no more than $10,000, or imprisoned for no more than six years, or both. The charge of attempting to flee or elude a traffic officer carries a fine of no more than $10,000, or imprisonment for no more than three years and six months, or both.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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