Heroin found, Maserati impounded after police pursue vehicle, stop it using spikes in Monona

Heroin was found in a Maserati that was impounded after police pursued the speeding vehicle and used spike strips to help stop it early Tuesday morning, Monona police reported.

The incident began about 1:15 a.m. when a Monona officer saw the Maserati going well above the speed limit on the Beltline near South Towne Drive. In positioning behind the vehicle at the Highway 51 exit, the officer checked the vehicle's registration, based on is dealer plates that did not originally result in a return, Chief Brian Chaney said in a statement.

Knowing of recent auto thefts from Illinois dealerships and based on the speeding violation, the officer initiated a traffic stop, but the Maserati immediately took off, with the Monona officer in pursuit in conditions that included little to no traffic.

The Maserati driver headed south on Highway 51, and Maple Bluff police assisted as the vehicle approached Milwaukee Street in Madison. The Maserati traveled back onto Highway 51, eventually re-entered Monona and tire deflation devices were deployed in cooperation with Monona police. With the vehicle slowing, the driver traveled onto the on-ramp to the westbound Beltline from 51, struck the tall curb, and went off the road, disabling the vehicle.

The driver, who was alone in the Maserati, got out to flee on foot, but surrendered after he was warned that Monona K9 Jakko would be deployed. Officers found a small amount of a powdery substance that tested positive for heroin.

The driver, a 29-year-old Fitchburg man, was arrested on tentative charges of felony attempted eluding and felony possession of heroin. He has prior felony convictions in Dane County, Chaney said.

The Maserati involved was not reported as stolen, and it was impounded while police identified the owner.

No injuries were reported.

& Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.