Two men who fled a prison boot camp and went on a crime spree through several western Wisconsin towns were caught Wednesday in Florida, but not until after making it difficult for police to collar them, authorities said.
James C. Misleveck, 18, of Juneau County, and James R. Newman, 29, of Brown County, walked away from the state-operated Black River Correctional Center boot camp in Komensky Township on July 17 and allegedly armed themselves with a stolen shotgun, kidnapped a casino worker and stole vehicles.
Early Wednesday, the two were spotted near Hollywood, Fla., acting suspiciously as they drove through parking lots and garages outside a hotel and casino, the Jackson (Wis.) County Sheriff's Office said.
According to the Sheriff's Office:
Police in Florida spotted the pair in a vehicle with Wisconsin license plates at a gas station, but the two took off as authorities approached.
Police sped after the fugitives through residential streets, with other officers, police dogs and a helicopter joining the pursuit. The vehicle suddenly stopped, and both men fled on foot.
Misleveck was quickly apprehended trying to hide in a backyard. Soon after, police dogs found Newman hiding in a tree. He jumped to the ground and ran. A police dog caught him almost immediately.
Both men are in the Broward County jail awaiting their return to Wisconsin.
