FORT DODGE – A Wisconsin man swiped a running car from an Iowa Kwik Star parking lot, but an alert police officer quickly located the suspect driving by and the chase was on.
On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at approximately 3:01 PM, an officer was dispatched to 3121 5th Ave S., for a report of a vehicle theft. The officer arrived on scene and was advised by the victim that he had left the vehicle running while inside the Kwik Star convenience store and when he returned after a few minutes, the vehicle was gone.
As the officer was obtaining information from the victim, the stolen vehicle was spotted driving by the Kwik Star traveling west on 5th Ave S. by the victim and the officer. The officer retreated to his fully marked police unit and attempted to catch up to the stolen vehicle still traveling west on 5th Ave S. As the officer caught up to the stolen vehicle, it took off at a high rate of speed in an attempt to elude the officer. The driver of the stolen vehicle traveled north on S 20th St and failed to stop at the stop sign located at 1st Ave S. In doing so, the stolen vehicle pulled out in front of a vehicle traveling east on 1st Ave S., causing a collision.
The driver of the stolen vehicle exited the vehicle and ran on foot.
The pursuing officer gave chase and after a short time he was taken into custody. The driver of the stolen vehicle was identified as 47‐year‐old Billy J. Conner (pictured at top) of Linden, Wisconsin. Conner has been arrested and charged with the following:
– Theft 1st ( Felony)
– Eluding (Serious Misdemeanor)
– Reckless Driving (Simple Misdemeanor)
– Driving While License Denied, Suspended, Cancelled, or Revoked (Simple Misdemeanor)
Conner remains jailed in Webster county, awaiting an appearance in front of a judge.