Armed Robbery Suspect Still on the Loose
City Times Staff
Officials from the Portage County Sheriff’s Office are on the lookout for a suspected armed robbery following a high speed chase near the Town of Belmont on July 9.
The car chase ended near Highway 73 and 12th Avenue in Waushara County, when the driver jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot. Authorities later identified the man as 34-year-old Bruce L. Vossekuil from Almond but were unable to locate him at that time.
Vossekuil is wanted on a felony armed robbery warrant and a felony probation and parole warrant.
On the morning of July 10, police found the vehicle belonging to Joanne Sullivan, the Vossekuil’s reported girlfriend who is also from Almond, parked suspiciously on a seasonal property when no one was home. Police had suspected Vossekuil was in an unoccupied storage building on that property with access to several firearms.
Portage County deputies, along with the Waushara County Sheriff’s Office and an Adams County Sheriff’s K-9 unit all responded to the area. The county’s Special Response Team and Stevens Point Special Weapons Team were waiting on standby.
Sullivan was spotted by deputies walking in the area, and during questioning admitted she had been carrying supplies for Vossekuil. She also said he was not on the property, but instead in a wooded area near Lein Road and Heffron Avenue in the Town of Belmont.
The area was extensively searched by officers, including the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle from the Village of Plover Police Department. Numerous buildings, vehicles and homes were also checked.
After several hours of search by air, with ground search teams, and two K-9 teams, it was determined that Vossekuil had evaded capture again. A small crude camp area was located where Vossekuil had been hiding, confirming the information Sullivan provided to investigators.
The public is asked to keep an eye out for Vossekuil, as he is still believed to be in the area. He is described as a male, white, 34 years old, 6’ 0”, approximately 200 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes, with a mustache and goatee. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt.
If anyone sees Vossekuil, or a person matching this description, they are asked to call 911. Vossekuil is believed to be on foot in the southeastern corner of Portage County.
Residents are also asked to ensure their out buildings, vehicles and homes are securely locked, as Vossekuil may be looking for a place to hide.
Sullivan was taken into custody by Portage County deputies on charges of obstructing an officer, harboring a fugitive, and bail-jumping. She is expected to appear in Portage County Circuit Court on Monday.