Juvenile Arrested After License Plate Reader Alerted on Stolen Vehicle

January 07, 2026
Elise Schaffer, PIO, (608) 284-6142
Sheriff's Office

Just before 5:30 pm on Tuesday, January 6th, Dane County Sheriff’s deputies were alerted to a stolen Hyundai Elantra heading south on Main Street in the Village of Cottage Grove. A traffic stop was attempted, but the driver sped up instead of pulling over. Deputies pursued the vehicle for a short distance, deploying a tire deflation device at one point, but ultimately terminated the pursuit in less than 4 miles.
A short time later, the vehicle was found abandoned but still running on Nightingale Lane in Cottage Grove. Visible footprints led to a nearby field, prompting deputies, along with officers from McFarland Police and Cottage Grove Police, to use a K-9 and a drone to search the area and quickly find the 14-year-old suspect. Two handguns were visible inside the car, but when deputies removed the guns, they were found to be BB guns. 
The suspect was transported to the Juvenile Reception Center on tentative charges of operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, and eluding.
“Modern technology is one of the most effective tools we have to keep our community safe,” said Sheriff Kalvin Barrett. “License plate readers and drones give our deputies real-time information that can save lives, reduce crime, and bring critical incidents to a safer resolution.”