Suspect in weekend crime spree at large

A Leopolis man was still on the run late Tuesday after an alleged weekend crime spree that authorities say included three stolen vehicles and a high-speed pursuit.

Criminal charges have been filed against Calvin K. Ossmann, 26, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. He is accused of three separate incidents of vehicle theft, a felony count of fleeing an officer and numerous misdemeanors.

Ossmann’s troubles with the law started late Friday night when Shawano County sheriff’s deputies were called to a disturbance on Shawano Avenue in Leopolis.

A woman said a male party she knew as Ossmann was “burning rubber” in a red semi-tractor unit, was intoxicated and causing trouble, according to the criminal complaint.

Deputies found the semi-tractor abandoned behind a residence on Shawano Avenue where it had apparently come to rest after striking a stand of trees. The driver had fled the scene.

The vehicle was later determined to have been stolen from Hoffman Transit Co. in Gresham, where Ossmann works, according to the complaint.

Deputies responded to a second disturbance call at the same Leopolis address shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday.

The caller stated Ossmann was back on the property, this time in a different semi and had damaged a fence and another vehicle.

Ossmann drove off in the semi before authorities arrived. The vehicle was later determined to have been stolen from Hoffman Wood Fiber in Tilleda.

Yet another incident allegedly involving Ossmann was also subsequently reported to authorities.

A Leopolis man reported that Ossmann had been on his property on County Road D around 3 a.m. Friday and was driving the man’s pickup truck around the trees and through a free-stall barn, damaging a six-wheeler that was inside.

The man said he saw Ossmann on Friday afternoon and that Ossmann admitted to driving the truck through the barn, according to the complaint.

Shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday authorities spotted the semi reported stolen from Tilleda on northbound U.S. Highway 45 heading into Shawano County.

The driver ignored an attempted traffic stop and a chase ensued reaching speeds of about 80 mph, according to the complaint.

Spike strips failed to stop the vehicle as the chase continued through a corn field and into a hay field where it came to a stop.

As officers drew their handguns and attempted to arrest the driver, the semi went into reverse and backed into a sheriff’s squad, then pulled forward and backed into the squad a second time. The deputy was out of the vehicle at the time and not injured.

Deputies fired about 15 shots at the rear tires of the semi, according to the complaint. The semi started to drive off again, but at least one of the rear tires was starting to come off the rim.

The semi drove back through the corn field and finally came to rest against a tree. The driver fled on foot.

An aerial search and a ground search with multiple K-9 units failed to locate him.

Shawano County sheriff’s deputies were assisted by the State Patrol and Shawano and Marion police during Sunday’s chase and subsequent search.

Ossmann is charged with three felony counts of operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. Each of the charges normally carries a maximum possible penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine, but the penalty could be enhanced because of previous convictions.

Ossmann also faces a possible maximum of 3½ years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of fleeing an officer.

He is also charged with five misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property, as well as resisting an officer and disorderly conduct.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department describes Ossmann as approximately 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. Authorities issued a mug shot of Ossmann taken at his booking in a previous case, but they said he has since cut his hair shorter and was clean-shaven at the time of this weekend’s incidents.