Officers with the Gillette Police Department located a reported suspect who was reportedly impersonating a peace officer at a local gas station this morning, November 19th, according to a Wyoming Highway Patrol release. They attempted a traffic stop, however, the driver failed to stop and fled from the officers.
The WHP was requested to assist the Gillette Police Department with the pursuit on Highway 50 as it left Gillette’s city limits. WHP troopers joined the chase near Savageton where the pursuit continued south on Highway 50 with speeds exceeding one hundred miles per hour before heading eastbound on Highway 387 towards Wright. At the intersection of Highway 387 and Wyoming 59, the driver drove south towards Douglas.
Attempts to deploy spike strips were initially unsuccessful by law enforcement involved in the pursuit. The Converse County Sheriff’s Deputies and WHP Troopers were finally successful in deploying spike strips around milepost six on Wyoming 59.
The driver stopped the vehicle for a short time but would not exit the car, and started to drive south a second time. In the interest of public safety, a WHP Trooper attempted a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver to end the pursuit. The driver entered the barrow ditch before they tried to drive around law enforcement again to escape. Due to the driver’s actions causing an imminent threat to law enforcement and public safety, a WHP trooper drove into the suspect vehicle, causing it to overturn.
The driver of the vehicle was not injured and was taken into custody without further incident. He has been identified as 39-year-old Lomita, California resident Jonathan David Suckow.
Suckow was charged with fleeing to elude, reckless driving, speed, and other traffic-related offenses. Suckow could also be facing additional charges in Gillette.
Agencies involved in the pursuit were Campbell County Sheriff’s Department, Gillette Police Department, Converse County Sheriff’s Department, and Douglas Police Department.