Suspects apprehended in connection to Bayside manhunt believed to be drug traffickers from CA
Updated: 5:55 p.m. on June 17, 2021
BAYSIDE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The United States Attorney's Office confirms two suspects have been apprehended in connection with the manhunt Thursday morning in the village of Bayside.
Authorities arrested two men they believe to be experienced drug traffickers from California.
The investigation started with a traffic stop in Kansas on Sunday.
People in the village of Bayside woke up to police searching everywhere in their neighborhood.
A chase ended in a crash near Wakefield and County Line Road, and two men took off.
Investigators used dogs and a drone, but after an hours-long search, didn't find them.
A criminal complaint says Richard Chavez was arrested at the Port Motel on W. Appleton Avenue.
Another suspect, Daniel Rodriguez-Lara, was arrested at the Days Inn on N. 6th Street a short time later.
The arrests may have happened in Milwaukee, but last Sunday, a state trooper in Kansas reported cocaine and fentanyl in a Nissan being transported on a car carrier headed for Wisconsin. They seized the drugs, replaced them with fakes, tracked the car to the Chalet Motel of Mequon and then followed Chavez and Rodriguez-Lara for several days before making the arrests.
Both men are now facing charges of possession and intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl.
They're scheduled to be back in federal court on June 23.
Updated: 12:14 p.m. on June 17, 2021
BAYSIDE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A shelter in place order has been lifted in the village of Bayside, following an active manhunt Thursday morning, June 17.
Bayside police say after an extensive search involving multiple departments, they are extremely confident the suspects are no longer in the area.
"What the heck is going on," said resident Charles Clausen.
That's what he, and many residents near County Line Road wondered this morning.
Several of them were woken up by the sounds of a police pursuit and crash.
"About 1am or so we heard sirens, and they got progressively louder and louder, until all of a sudden they were right outside here," said resident Chris Menting.
"I looked out the kitchen window at 5:00a and there was a huddle of police officers across the street, maybe eight officers," said Clausen.
Village of Bayside Police say this was initially a drug trafficking operation with the DEA.
Bayside, and several other agencies, were called into to assist.
"Two people did flee from the vehicle, that is what led to the shelter in place," said Village of Bayside Police Lt. Eric Miller.
After the crash, police say the two male suspects ran off into the wooded area near I-43.
"But there's dog parks and pathways, it's very wooded everywhere that you go in this area but the ravine is key," said resident Linda M.
A drone, and K9 unit, was also deployed but after more than eight hours officers did not find the men.
Authorities lifted the shelter in place order - believing the suspects had left the area.
"We are confident that this area is safe but if they do feel unsafe, Bayside residents can feel free to call our non-emergency line," said Lt. Miller.
Police are asking anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to call 9-1-1, or their local police agency.
Officials shared an update on the incident this morning. Watch it below:
Published: 5:38 a.m. on June 17, 2021
BAYSIDE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Police in the village of Bayside are asking people there to shelter in place Thursday morning, June 17.
#Breaking: A shelter in place order is in effect in the Village of Bayside right now.
— Kim Shine (@KimShineCBS58) June 17, 2021
Authorities from multiple agencies are looking for two suspects who, @bayside_pd say, fled into the wooded area near I-43 and Co. Line Road.
Stick with @CBS58 for updates. pic.twitter.com/LV3AMpVZcv
Several law enforcement agencies are looking for two suspects, including the DEA, FBI, and US Marshals, who they say ran into the wooded areas of Bayside near County Line Road and Interstate 43.
The suspects are believed to be armed and dangerous.
They are described as two Hispanic men, 5'7".
We're told one is wearing a white shirt and white hat and the other suspect is wearing dark clothing.
Police are warning people in the area to lock your doors, stay inside and call 911 to report any suspicious activity.