Middleton man arrested for impaired driving after erratic highway chase and aggressive panhandling attempt

Police arrested William McCann after an erratic chase through Beaver Dam and Juneau. Suspect faced PIT maneuvers and tire spikes after highway panhandling reports.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 4:28 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from FOX6 News Milwaukee

Public Safety Alert Leads to High Speed Intervention

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office initiated a significant tactical response early Sunday morning after receiving alarming reports from motorists on US Highway 151. According to official statements, a 36 year old man was observed driving erratically and allegedly chasing other vehicles. One witness reported that the suspect utilized his vehicle to block their path, forcing them to come to a complete stop on the highway. Once the victim was immobilized, the suspect exited his car and approached them to demand money, an act that prompted immediate emergency calls to local dispatchers.

Suspect Evades Initial Traffic Stop in Beaver Dam

As the investigation unfolded, a second caller reported nearly identical aggressive behavior within the city limits of Beaver Dam. Local police officers successfully located the suspect's vehicle and attempted to conduct a standard traffic stop. During the interaction, officers observed signs that the driver, identified as William McCann, was operating under the influence. When ordered to step out of the vehicle for further evaluation, McCann reportedly refused to comply and accelerated away from the scene, triggering a pursuit that involved both city police and county deputies.

Tactical Maneuvers Employed to Halt Fleeing Vehicle

The pursuit transitioned from the city streets of Beaver Dam through several state and county highways as the suspect attempted to elude capture. In a strategic effort to end the chase before it reached more populated areas, a sheriff’s sergeant executed a pursuit immobilization technique, or PIT maneuver, at the intersection of State Highways 26 and 33. While the maneuver successfully forced the suspect to spin off the roadway, McCann managed to recover control and drove back onto the highway, continuing his flight toward the city of Juneau.