Stolen vehicle pursuit through Madison shuts down roads, locks down schools

MADISON, Wis. (WISC) -- A stolen vehicle pursuit Friday morning through Madison that began in Fitchburg and ended in Monona shut down roads and caused some schools to take safety precautions, officials said.

A Fitchburg police dispatcher said a vehicle was stolen out of Fitchburg, and police pursued it.

At 9:52 a.m., Monona police advised residents in the Shato Lane, Femrite Drive and Highway 51 areas to lock their doors because of a police incident.

Madison police said the pursuit took place on the West Beltline, Rimrock Road, John Nolen Drive, Williamson Street, East Washington Avenue and Highway 51.

The occupants of the vehicle abandoned it on Highway 51 between Pflaum Road and Broadway, then ran toward the Edna Taylor Conservancy.

At 10:12 a.m., Monona police said the suspects were in custody and the area was safe.

A Dane County dispatcher said Highway 51 was shut down at Pflaum Road while police were investigating.

Madison Metropolitan School District spokeswoman Rachel Strauch-Nelson said that during the incident, Sennett, La Follette, Glendale and Leopold schools took safety precautions, which means the students weren't allowed outside and doors were kept locked, but classes continued as usual. She said the incident was unrelated to the schools and by 10:30 a.m., school officials had received an all-clear from police.

Fitchburg police said at least one person was transported by ambulance, but the nature of the injury wasn't immediately clear.