Police Say a Wanted Felon Turned a Rental U-Haul Into a Getaway Vehicle During a 12-Mile Chase

Police Say a Wanted Felon Turned a Rental U-Haul Into a Getaway Vehicle During a 12-Mile Chase

A wanted Wisconsin man allegedly turned a rented U-Haul van into a high-speed getaway vehicle, leading police through residential streets for more than 12 miles before the pursuit ended with a damaged van, an injured passenger, and several criminal charges.

The YouTube channel Midwest Safety identified the driver as 27-year-old Austin Krause, a man the channel said had prior felony convictions that included fleeing from police, driving a stolen vehicle, and possessing narcotic drugs. Officers also knew he had active felony warrants as they followed the van through West Allis and several surrounding communities on October 16, 2025.

What officers did not initially know was that Krause was not alone. Two other people were inside the U-Haul as it moved through city streets at speeds that, according to the channel, averaged about 80 mph during the nine-minute chase.

Officers Begin Following the U-Haul

The pursuit unfolded after officers began tracking a U-Haul van with Arizona plates and received information that the suspected driver was wanted on felony warrants.

Police radio traffic captured officers coordinating positions while the van changed directions repeatedly, moving through intersections and residential roads as patrol units attempted to stay close without losing sight of it.

Speeds quickly climbed, at times reaching around 90 mph, while officers warned one another about traffic, upcoming turns, and possible places to deploy stop sticks.

Midwest Safety said Krause had already been convicted of several serious offenses before this encounter, including an earlier fleeing case, which gave officers reason to believe he might continue rather than surrender.

That history also helps explain why the pursuit developed so quickly. Police were not simply following a motorist who had hesitated during a routine traffic stop; they believed they were dealing with a wanted felon who had previously shown a willingness to run.

The Van Speeds Through Residential Streets

As the U-Haul continued east, officers reported that Krause was driving recklessly, passing through intersections and pushing the van to speeds far above the posted limits.

According to the channel’s narration, the pursuit covered more than 12 miles and lasted about nine minutes, which placed the average speed near 80 mph even though much of the route crossed residential streets.

At several points, officers tried to position other units ahead of the van, but Krause continued changing roads and directions while maintaining enough speed to make a safe stop difficult.

Radio traffic also indicated that one of the rear tires began sparking, suggesting the van had already suffered damage or struck a stop device, yet the driver kept going.

The danger in a pursuit like this extends far beyond the person behind the wheel. A large rental van traveling at highway speeds through city streets leaves little room for nearby drivers, pedestrians, or officers to react when something goes wrong.

Stop Sticks and a PIT Maneuver Fail to End the Chase

Officers attempted to use stop sticks as the pursuit moved through the area, but the van remained mobile.

By the time the U-Haul reached St. Francis, police reported that one of its tires was flat and dragging, although Krause still did not stop.

An officer then attempted a PIT maneuver, using a patrol vehicle to strike the U-Haul in a controlled effort to turn it sideways and end the pursuit.

The first attempt did not fully disable the van.

“Not my best PIT,” the officer later remarked while discussing the damage to his own squad car.

A second maneuver was more effective, causing the U-Haul to spin out and come to a stop near a park. The impact left the rental van badly damaged, while one police vehicle also required towing.

The ending was forceful, but by that stage officers were dealing with a driver who had ignored stop attempts, continued with a damaged tire, and carried two passengers through a prolonged high-speed pursuit.

Krause Runs While Passengers Remain Inside

After the van stopped, officers said Krause left the driver’s seat and ran through the park.

Police pursued him on foot and quickly brought him to the ground.

Krause initially claimed he had not been driving, but an officer told him he had personally seen him exit the driver’s side and run directly in front of the patrol car.

While officers searched and handcuffed him, Krause complained about pain in his shoulder and later said he believed he had a concussion.

He also told officers he would cooperate and asked them not to push him as they prepared to move him for medical evaluation.

At one point, Krause appeared confused and asked where he was. An officer told him that he was in a park because he had engaged police in a high-speed chase, crashed the van, injured people, and then tried to run.

That conversation showed how sharply Krause’s behavior changed once the chase was over. The man who had allegedly driven for miles at extreme speeds was now asking officers to move carefully because he was tired and hurt.

One Passenger Was Found Unconscious

Officers soon discovered that there were two passengers inside the van.

One male passenger was initially described over the radio as unconscious, prompting officers to call for medical attention, while a female passenger was also taken into custody.

Midwest Safety said all three occupants were eventually medically evaluated and cleared.

The channel reported that the woman was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, although her identity and that of the male passenger were not released in the video.

During a search, officers asked Krause whether he had needles or anything hidden in his clothing, while another exchange suggested he had used amphetamines.

The fact that one passenger was found unconscious added another consequence to a pursuit that already involved reckless speeds, damaged vehicles, and the risk of a major collision. Whatever the passengers knew before entering the van, they were trapped inside once Krause allegedly decided to keep fleeing.

Police Say Drugs Were Found After the Crash

According to Midwest Safety, officers later recovered narcotics connected to the case.

Krause was charged with felony possession of narcotic drugs in addition to the pursuit-related offenses.

The channel said prosecutors also filed charges of felony fleeing or eluding an officer causing bodily harm or property damage, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, and resisting or obstructing an officer.

Each charge was enhanced with a habitual-criminality repeater modifier because of Krause’s prior record.

The U-Haul itself was totaled.

Midwest Safety estimated that a similar rental van could cost as much as $60,000 and noted that standard rental-protection plans may not cover damage caused during alleged criminal conduct or intentional misuse.

That means the financial consequences could eventually extend beyond the criminal case, although any claim by the rental company would depend on how the case is resolved and what damages it chooses to pursue.

The Case Remains Pending

Midwest Safety said Krause’s plea and sentencing hearing was scheduled for August 26, 2026.

He remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The channel also noted that the rental company could potentially seek restitution for the destroyed van, towing expenses, lost rental income, and other costs connected to the damage.

For now, the criminal allegations describe a pursuit that began with officers trying to stop a wanted man and ended nine minutes later with a wrecked U-Haul, a damaged squad car, two passengers requiring evaluation, and Krause being tackled after running from the scene.

The case illustrates how quickly an attempt to avoid arrest can create far greater problems than the warrants or traffic violations that started the encounter, particularly when a large vehicle is driven at extreme speeds through residential areas with other people inside.