Wisconsin Manhunt Continues for Canton Man Who Struck Officer While Fleeing, Stole Dump Truck

Viroqua, WI (KROC-AM News)- Authorities in southwestern Wisconsin are continuing a manhunt for a southeast Minnesota man. 

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The Viroqua police department posted information about the incident Friday evening. 

The ordeal began with a call to a parking lot in the small town, which is about 33 miles southeast of La Crosse, regarding a male with an active warrant. 

Rochester Man Arrested, Canton Man Wanted After Fleeing Police in Vehicle and Striking Officer

Responding officers saw the wanted man and a passenger get into a vehicle upon their arrival. The vehicle then started to speed away, striking a Viroqua officer as it fled, police say. 

Police did not say if the struck officer was injured.

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The passenger, identified as Jesse Devlaeminck of Rochester, exited the vehicle on the north end of Viroqua and was taken into custody on multiple active warrants after a brief search, authorities say. 

Police identified the driver of the fleeing vehicle as Nathan Gossman of Canton.

Authorities say he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase southwest of Viroqua before leaving the road near Retreat. 

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office says Gossman is believed to have stolen a dump truck belonging to Wheatland Township after he fled Viroqua police. 

The truck was taken near De Soto, which is a small town along the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River. 

Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson said as of Sunday morning that the search for Gossman remains ongoing and that the truck has not yet been located.

Torgerson is asking residents in the area to ensure their vehicles are secured and to share relevant surveillance videos. He said Gossman is suspected of abandoning the truck.