Leader Staff
Multiple felony charges were filed Monday against a man accused of beating a woman in Shawano last week, then fleeing town in a stolen car and leading authorities on a high-speed chase.
Gary L. Evans, 42, listed as homeless, was ordered held on a $5,000 cash bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Monday on felony counts of operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, fleeing authorities, reckless endangerment and bail jumping.
He also faces misdemeanor counts of battery and third offense operating while intoxicated.
Police responded shortly after 4 p.m. Friday to a report of a 45-year-old woman having been badly beaten in the 100 block of Prairie Street. The suspect had already left.
Shortly after 5 p.m., police received a report of a vehicle stolen at the People’s Express South, 716 S. Main St.
The victim in that incident said he was approached by a man who asked for a cigarette. He told the man he was out and was going into the convenience store to buy a pack. He left his vehicle running and unlocked, according to police.
When he came out of the store, he saw his vehicle being driven southbound on Main Street.
Shawano County sheriff’s deputies spotted the stolen vehicle a short time later on state Highway 29 in the town of Hartland.
According to the criminal complaint, Evans led deputies on a chase at speeds reaching more than 100 mph. The vehicle spun out of control west of Cedar Road in the town of Angelica and ended up in the median.
Evans was injured in the crash and taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Green Bay.
Evans could face a maximum possible penalty of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted of second-degree recklessly endangering safety; six years and a $10,000 fine for operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent; 3 1/2 years and a $10,000 fine for fleeing; and six years and a $10,000 fine for each of three felony bail jumping counts.
Police initially said they were also investigating a possible sex assault charge, but Evans has not been charged with that crime.