Around 7:09 p.m. on August 7th, 2025, Holman police [music] officers are dispatched to a gas station store for an active robbery in Wisconsin. [music] But, before they can arrive, the suspect takes off in a maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee. And as that chase kicks off, officers have no idea this is about to turn into a days-long manhunt. >> 7020, any information you have, please? >> Currently pushing an employee, throwing things. Male, white, missing teeth, black hat, shirtless, no weapon seen. >> 28898, enter the plate 8898. >> Northbound. >> So, the person is a W9. >> Copy. >> They're right here, they're right behind us. >> They're calling it a 10-80. >> Copy, 10-80. >> 7020, go ahead and switch to radio. >> Last seen going up Uh 10-4, 10-4. He's still coming up to you. >> Traffic is medium. Still southbound, coming up to the ballpark. >> Copy, medium, still southbound. >> Yeah, go ahead and let Jason pass through. >> Still southbound, still no change. Still southbound. >> Adam, pick up the phone, 8898. >> Pulling into a church, standby. >> Back southbound on 14. >> Back southbound on 14. >> Back northbound 35. Northbound 35. >> 35 northbound. >> What's that plate coming back to? >> Is that to William Brink? >> That car is slowing down here. We're going to go westbound. Westbound on Pine Bluff. We're dead in here. Dead end on Pine Bluff. >> I can't but I can send a message to the county. >> I'm good on 35 and OT. >> Terminate the pursuit. >> Copy. Vehicle still southbound on 35 South OT. Terminating pursuit. >> Copy. >> Even though officers decide to call off the pursuit, they still managed to lock down a key detail through the license plate, which comes back to 56-year-old William Brink through a La Crosse County jail photo and vehicle records. To piece together exactly what happened, officers then head to the store to get a statement from the clerk. >> So, he was out at pump three. >> Mhm. >> Looked like he was frustrated about the gas. I didn't notice him at first. He came inside after somebody just left and he was like, "You need to put $50 on pump three right now, or we're going to have a problem. He like threatening me right off the bat. I kind of looked at him and I was like, is this guy serious? Is he joking? And then he actually came back here. Said you need to call the police right now or do it. So like he came back here and he started pushing me in the face. I pushed back. I'm like, get the [ __ ] out of here. He started grabbing He came around here. I mean he He came around here and he was starting to pull at everything up here on the counter. He was pushing stuff off the top, pulled a whole rack of cigarettes off there. >> Did he take anything? >> Yeah. Smokes. Uh I can't remember what else. Probably smokes. He even grabbed a handful of lighters. >> Okay. Did he uh strike you with a fist? Or was it pushing? >> Okay. >> Pushing open hand. I couldn't tell. >> Are you injured at all? >> I can't talk right now. I'm kind of shaken. >> Okay. You're shocked. I can tell. Nothing to be worried about. Nothing to be ashamed about. >> I know. >> So He said put $50 on pump three or we're going to have a problem. >> Mhm. >> Or call the police. >> Mhm. >> You called the police. He came back here. >> He was back here behind the counter when I called the police. >> Okay. >> I called the police because he came behind the counter like that. >> Yeah. I mean sure, we'll take a look at it. Um cuz I got to the parking lot next year. And then he shot across. I told him to stop, but he ran my ass over. And uh then he jumped out of the car and we all gave chase. Um You know, he's on the cross. So what um did he take any money? >> Not that I'm aware of. >> Okay. Cuz he didn't get the register open or anything like that. >> Nothing like that. >> Cigarettes lighters started knocking stuff around. >> Mhm. >> I know it's going to be odd of me to ask. How long do you think he was back here? >> At least 2 minutes. >> Okay. >> I mean, I I I'm just trying to get rid of it seemed longer just because I was like oh what is this guy doing back here? It was very long. I mean, I wasn't going to hesitate to call the police if he It's not like he was he wasn't trying to rob me. He was just demanding like $50 >> Yeah, that's what I was like, no. >> And then he took >> Yeah. >> And he was assaulting you. >> Yeah. >> And I assume it was a scary. >> Little bit. >> When officers get their hands on the store surveillance footage, the clerk's statement checks out. The cameras clearly show William at the [music] store threatening and attacking the clerk and stealing items before leaving. After the pursuit is called off in Holman, William is later spotted that evening driving the same [music] vehicle in La Crosse. Officers there also attempt to stop him, but they terminate the pursuit [music] when he refuses to pull over and keeps driving at dangerous speeds. Eventually, officers are able [music] to track him to a campground, but by the time an arrest team is called in, William has already pulled a crazy move. >> All right, everybody good? >> Yep, good. >> He's got a bottle of ahead. >> They're not moving here. They are not moving. >> I'll 2 to 16 connect with city's drone when you get on scene. >> It is on it. >> 25 suspect walking towards the river code 7 flashlight with them right now. >> Walking towards the river with a flashlight. >> river. If If he's away from the Yeah. >> Okay. >> If he's away from the car, I want you guys to go to the car. We'll clear the car first. I want to take that away from him and then we'll work on going towards the river and taking him. Hey, come on. Come here. >> You're outside or inside? >> I'm right here. No. Let's move. Okay. Hurry. Hey, clear the car. Clear the car. Go back in. >> Come out OF THE WATER NOW. Show us your hands and come out of the water. >> Okay. Let's move up. Let's move up. >> Sir, you are under arrest. We have a K9. He will bite you. >> Watch him. >> Come out of the water with your hands up. >> Watch him. Watch him. Watch him. Okay. Get the shield up on the >> This is the police. You are under arrest. Come out of the water now with your hands up. We have a K9. He will bite you. >> She's not going in the water. He'll drown her. >> This is the police. Come out of the water with your hands up. We have a K9. He will bite you. >> Watch him. Watch him. Watch him. Watch him. Watch him. >> I don't know where he >> Yeah. >> And we can get her here. >> It's going to take him forever. >> Yeah. I don't know where we're going to put this. It's so shallow and he's loose. >> This is the police. Come back to the sound of my voice. You're under arrest. >> There he is right there. >> Yeah, he's waving his hand. >> It's like there's got to be some sort of uh No. Yeah, he's out in there. We probably need to marshal We got to get start getting people out on the WKY towers. >> Come back to the sound of my voice. You're under arrest. >> 108 to 118. >> Where exactly? I got to I got to figure out the Go to the radio towers just off 35 before you hit TI. >> He's walking in >> 108 to 118. Can you go assist with 254 at the WKY towers? >> Come back to the sound of my voice. You're under arrest. >> Yeah, black long sleeve. >> black hat and Look like bug spray. >> Load up. Load up. Good girl, load up. >> Fire you launched or not? >> I am. >> I already have eyes on him. >> Keys. >> Keys and or let's just make sure that there's not anything that would indicate like a gun. Real quick, bullets. >> This is the police. Come on out with your hands up. You're under arrest. >> Is there? Okay. So, right here. I think I don't think we do a drone does though. Here is the uh He was going right Real real quick, I don't see any gun. Where is he Where is he still in front of us or >> Somewhere out there. >> Okay. All right, he >> This is the police. Come on out with your hands up. You're under arrest. We have a K9. He will bite you. Come on now. >> So, he's trying to cross now. Kind of heading eastbound. We're trying to get people set up on the other side near the WKTU towers. They're getting the drone up to try to get a better eye on him, too. >> You guys can't shoot him in the back. >> Uh, we called out Shelby fire with their boat just to have one in case for if he has a medical episode. All right. He's He's making his way on an island right now. He can He's walking fine. >> Yeah, so he's laying down right now in the grass. >> Oh, he laid down? >> Yeah. >> He's laid down in the grass right now. >> Despite repeated warnings, William keeps yelling back at officers, navigating [music] through thick weed lines, and eventually disappears. Once drones are deployed, officers regain a visual on him and continue giving him chances to surrender. >> If you're ready to come out, wave your hands and we'll direct you back to land. Wave your hands in the air and we'll direct you back to land. >> He's like, "No, they won't find me now." >> This is what I've done this for what? Couple hours now? >> It's been three to three hours now. >> You're certain there the callouts go out, like they work the audio on it? >> [snorts] >> Uh, should be uh >> Okay. I think we're going to call it. Marty doesn't want us to keep trying, either, so I mean we gave her announcements if he wanted help or assistance getting out. He's walking right now on land, so. >> If you're done, wave your hands and we'll come get you. Wave your hands in the air. We're not leaving. >> What's the chances he can hear that from your distance and everything? >> I don't know. I'm hoping it up. >> We're not leaving. If you're done, wave your hands in the air. >> But even with those warnings, William refuses to give up. And after officers recover some of the stolen items, they decide [music] to start tracking him with a drone and officially clear the call. The following day, the Holman Police Department released his details to the public to help locate him. >> He saw me in the Jeep and he was walking back to grab another bag when he saw lights. So, he just grabbed the bag and bolted. All the cash from BP. >> There is no cash. >> Six. >> Six? >> Six. Six. >> Yeah. >> You must have smoked a dozen cigarettes. >> Yeah. >> At 8:33 a.m. on August 9th, 2 days after the initial gas station [music] pursuit, a passerby called the Cross County dispatch about a man who appeared disoriented and covered in mud. Around the same time, an off-duty [music] investigator in the area spots the man and immediately recognizes him [music] as William. And this time, William doesn't pull any tricks. >> Hello, sir. What's your name? >> I'm William Brankin. >> What's that? >> William William >> All right, sir. Up here. Drop your shoes. You're under arrest. 136 195 with William. Want to slap on the cycle helmet, my gloves on. >> William, you all right? >> 136, let's roll Tri-State um just to check him out. Um probably malnourished, man. Lots of minor cuts and stuff like that. >> That's my way. >> Okay. >> Copy. >> I'll be making it at fire address. >> Hey, heard it all, Bill? >> I'm good. >> Okay. >> All right, I was going to say I >> All right, I got a I got an ambulance that's going to come check on you, okay? All right. >> What day is it? >> What day is it? >> Yeah. >> Saturday. We've been looking for you for a couple days. >> Yeah, we were out where you were last seen crawling around. We couldn't find you. >> I could say I was out and open, but >> Yeah. Glad you're alive. Family will be too. I got contacted your mom. >> Do you want to sit on my bumper or do you want to sit on my on my car until they try to tell an ambulance gets here? You just look real tired, man. >> Um >> Here. This is my personal water bottle. You want to drink out of it? >> Yeah, please. >> Don't over drink cuz you haven't drank in a few days, so you can't drink too much, okay? Okay, you'll get sick. All right, take a second. Take a second. Cuz if you chug water, man, into your stomach, you're going to I'm assuming you haven't drank much lately. >> No. >> So, you're you're dehydrated and you're going to you'll make yourself sick, so we'll pace it, okay? >> No, I really thought my mom and my sister knew where that I pulled through. Like I said, I I woke up on some bright guy flew my own. And uh This is going to sound crazy, but I didn't know where I where I was. >> I spent my >> Is there Is anything hurting anywhere that I can't see, like an I I can see some cuts and stuff. Um anything hurting? Ribs, you know >> My body or anything? >> Okay. Yeah, I see that. >> Really? I'm glad you're alive. >> I really thought that my people knew I was alive and they just they gave up. >> I talked to your mom yesterday, talked to your sister. Your sister has no contact with you apparently. She's worried about you. Are you okay here, or do you want to sit in the back of my car? >> I want to sit in the back of your car. >> Okay. >> I don't know. I guess they were just being curious or something. >> Oh, yeah, we've been we've had drones out looking for you, people out looking for you, people on boats. We've been going to talk to your >> There were other people that been They have been they watching me, not taking care of me, but watching me. >> Great. Yeah, that I can't tell you, but I wish they had called me because helped you. You don't have to sit in if you don't want to. Just put your butt up against that seat. Come and have an ambulance come and check you out, okay? Take your blood pressure, check your oxygen levels. I'm assuming you'll go to the hospital. >> No, I really thought I just think that people cared or that I deserved what I was going >> Well, they cared. They do. Uh, we just couldn't find you. That was something that you were told. >> See, my wheel changed in Jamesburg, and they didn't have a filter, so I said, "I'll just go grab one." >> Awesome. >> And I was posting a paper and a guy laid me down in the town center. >> Oh, man. >> So, I was I just happened to be right here. Solinger's over in St. Joe's. >> Yeah. >> And then how are you going to be able to be able to disappear for about 4 or 5 days? >> Jeez. Yeah, we were out there all day Friday looking for you in the boat. >> I'm sorry. I >> What day is Saturday? >> Saturday. >> I mean, Saturday really sucked. People thought that I swam the rock pile or whatever. >> You swam quite a ways. >> 25 go ahead. >> Are you still headed down here? >> 10-4 unless you don't believe you need me. >> Pretty impressive. >> He's going to have to go to the hospital just to be checked out. He probably got severe dehydration. So I'm sure I'll have to ride in the ambulance. I got 1 12 off duty here. >> It's today. My plan today was to commit myself. Can I get a magic water? Is there any way you know where my Jeep is? >> Yeah, we got it towed. Your phone's in there. >> Uh Paul's I think Paul's had it. According to the video According to the Paul's was in the narrative. So unless something happened outside the narrative but I'm sorry. Yeah, you are you are arrested um on on Holman's charges Holman PD. Should I have Holman car? Hospital thing like Is there a Holman officer going to be putting it down here? >> Yeah, I think 4 136 where should he meet you? >> I'll probably have you meet at whatever hospital we end up going to. Like I said I'm assuming that he's going to have to be So he's got a lot of cuts. >> Yeah, we were just just on the other side of the power line looking for you. What did you come out of the woods at we've talked about? I haven't walked far really at all. [clears throat] So unless you just basically saw him come up by the towers. Yesterday or tomorrow we were going to come out searching the woods and basically searching the water again for you. I guess I really I could probably say last night. Assuming that they'll probably want you to go down just to get checked out. You've been that many days without eating and water and yeah they're going to want to clean those cuts off. Were you able did you sleep at all out there or have you been awake or I think I slept a few hours last night. Okay. I was hilarious when I went to bed last night. Probably. First or did you I saw him and I was like pull over. I was like I was already out with him or no? We had just we had just met you and all of the sudden I look back and I see you flip around and I'm like But then like as as soon as I felt like I was ready to jump then he like he like and I'm like oh no he's yeah he's walking his hanging out of his shoes and I'm like You staying awake there William? Okay I just want you to fall asleep on me. What he said is to try to I could have him in the hospital by now. Yeah it was so freaking hot last night. Just on the other side of those towers. So if you had him right behind Oh he's just he's hiding. This is where he was last seen. He was on this little island. And one of the federal ones tried to step on him. He couldn't move. So he had like that. The drone >> 11 minutes. >> The drone we can see where he was or my best crawl. I didn't I didn't know where to go. At least so he would He's not supposed to be there. >> Yeah. He'd have been sucked down in there and he would have stayed there. He's been living off in the water for 2 or 3 days. He looks like >> someone called him in? >> Yeah, he was walking the road. So I have given him about 10 oz of water. He was really thirsty so I don't know if that matters to you guys what you're going to give him but he doctors Is it would he would he go there? Would that be >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'm assuming he's going to have to go before he goes to jail. He He should go to the hospital. >> But is he under arrest now? >> He's under arrest now so I will go with you. >> Okay, sounds good. >> 136 to 713 10-4. >> How long have you been outside? >> Good. >> And up from walking through like the brush and stuff? >> No. >> You good if we take the handcuffs off? >> Yeah. >> You know what? Let's take the handcuffs off. You know, you've been super cooperative. Let let make everyone's life easier. I'm going to sit you sit you up. >> I'm not going anywhere. >> You're not going anywhere, no. You've been pretty cool with me so >> If something changes we can always >> We can always Yeah, but I don't think anything changes. He's cool. So >> He's all right though, yeah? >> Yeah. >> Do you want to get your bottle of water that way so you can really go? Are you cold? Can you feel your feet? Can you feel them? Can you give me a little push? >> It's only >> I'm cold. >> Careful, it's only it's only set I got. >> Overall, officers recovered seven packs of Newport cigarettes, two energy drinks, three nicotine pouches, five double torch [music] lighter, and six Bic lighters with the stolen items totaling $166.67. [music] After receiving treatment for his injuries, William was reported to the La Crosse [music] County Jail without incident. >> Hey, William. >> Yeah. >> We're here. >> Is that right there? >> No, it's over here. >> All right, this way. >> Ultimately, William Brink was charged with felony robbery with use of force, vehicle fleeing eluding an officer, second-degree recklessly [music] endangering safety, bail jumping times two, misdemeanor battery, retail theft. His cash bond was set at $20,000. Don't just watch, represent. Visit codebluecam.com to grab hoodies, shirts, hats, [music] mugs, and more. Every item helps support the channel and keep stories like this coming your way.