Arrested man escapes out squad car window, leads deputies on chase in stolen squad car

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Adams County Sheriff's Office Levi Hedding

An Adams County man arrested during a traffic stop Monday night escaped through a squad car window and led deputies on an 18-mile pursuit in a stolen squad car, officials said.

Members of the Adams and Marquette county sheriff’s offices conducted a traffic stop Monday on a vehicle being driven by 27-year-old Levi R. Hedding, of Coloma, according to news release on Facebook.

The stop happened in the 2800 block of Highway 13 in Adams County because Hedding had active warrants for his arrest and was suspected of trafficking heroin to the area, officials said.

Hedding initially lied to deputies about his name and tried to run away before being taken into custody, according to the release.

While deputies were processing evidence at the scene, Hedding escaped through the back window of an Adams County squad car, officials said. Hedding then entered a Marquette County squad car and drove away.

Hedding lead deputies on an 18-mile pursuit, involving several members of law enforcement from agencies in the area, according to the release.

The stolen squad being driven by Hedding eventually went into a ditch and hit a tree on County Road EE near 2nd Avenue in Adams County, deputies said. Hedding again tried to run but was apprehended by a Marquette County K-9 and several deputies.

Hedding was taken to Moundview Hospital for injuries he suffered during the K-9 arrest, according to the release.

Hedding faces tentative charges of possession of heroin with intent to deliver, escape, operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, operating with a restricted controlled substance, reckless driving, obstructing and resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating without a valid driver’s license, felony fleeing and felony bail jumping.

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