Stratford Man Arrested After High Speed Chase and Standoff With Police

Thursday, July 7th, 2022 -- 11:01 AM

A Stratford man is facing charges after he allegedly set his house on fire, fled from officers, and then engaged in a standoff with them.

According to the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to a call stating John Strasser set his house on fire. He then allegedly led deputies on a high-speed chase on Highway 97. Deputies then lost sight of him on Ahrens Road due to dust kicked up on the gravel road.

He was later spotted by law enforcement and the chase continued on Highway 153. Eventually, the chase ended when OnStar remotely shut down the truck he was in. A standoff with authorities then began. Strasser allegedly pointed a rifle and pistol at law enforcement. SWAT Teams from the Marshfield Police Department and Marathon County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

Negotiators were able to convince Strasser to get out of the vehicle. Strasser is facing charges of arson, attempting to flee an officer, pointing a firearm at a law enforcement officer, and possessing a firearm while being intoxicated. He’s currently in the Marathon County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond.

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