Felon nabbed in high-risk daytime arrest at McDonald’s
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By Brandi Makuski
A Neenah man was arrested during a high-risk traffic stop on Thursday in the parking lot of a northside restaurant.
Police had been on the lookout for Loren T. Wagner, 51, after being notified by law enforcement in Grand Chute that Wagner had stolen a car and fled the area. He was located traveling to McDonald’s, 127 Division St. North, at about 1 p.m. on March 8, where law enforcement initiated a high-risk traffic stop.
Assistant Police Chief Mike Rottier said four officers and one Portage Co. deputy responded to the scene and approached the Buick LaSabre, with weapons drawn, just outside the restaurant.
“For officer safety, we don’t just walk up to a stolen car and say, ‘Hi, can I see your registration?'” Rottier said. “For all stolen vehicles we do a high-risk stop to get the bad guy out at gunpoint.”
Wagner was taken into custody without incident.
According to court records, Wagner’s criminal history in Wisconsin stems back to at least 2002 and includes a violent robbery, traffic violations, bad checks and outstanding taxes. The March 8 arrest is his first in Portage County.
Rottier said Wagner will face charges of operating without owner’s consent, a felony, and operating after revocation. He is currently awaiting his first court appearance from the Portage Co. Jail.