Wisconsin bank robbery prompts manhunt, massive police response

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A manhunt continued in Wisconsin on Wednesday after a brazen armed bank robbery about 35 miles outside Milwaukee that prompted a heavy police response and the partial closure of an interstate highway, according to local reports.

The Oconomowoc robbery occurred at about 1 p.m. local time on Tuesday and continued for hours, according to local reports. 

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the suspect fled from the bank before police got to the scene, then allegedly tried to steal someone’s bag at gunpoint before failing to steal her vehicle and running off. Then, he stole a man’s GMC Envoy and is believed to have driven to Waukesha State Bank, where he is believed to have committed a second gunpoint robbery, according to the report.

Stephanie Ohlfs, the vice president and marketing manager of Waukesha State Bank, said the bank is working with authorities, according to the Sentinel. 

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According to local authorities, police later spotted the allegedly stolen vehicle and tried to conduct a traffic stop, at which point the SUV crashed along Interstate 94 near Golden Lake Road, and the "suspect fled on foot into a densely wooded area," the report states. 

A manhunt was underway in Wisconsin Tuesday following an armed bank robbery in Oconomowoc. (Fox 6 Milwaukee)

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Officers in tactical gear were seen carrying long guns and searching the area around westbound I-94 in Waukesha County, which was shut down for a large portion of the day, FOX 6 of Milwaukee reported. 

"They were tacted up," a driver reportedly said. "Saw a couple of officers in command post vehicles looking at drone video."

A shelter in place was issued for local residents Tuesday afternoon, according to local reports.

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Police are reportedly investigating whether a report of a different stolen vehicle at about 6:20 p.m. involves the same suspect. The manhunt continued into the overnight hours.

The suspect is still on the loose and has been described as a 6-foot-tall, heavyset, White man in his 20s who was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black pants. He was possibly barefoot, FOX 6 reported. 

The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, Oconomowoc police and several other agencies are taking part in the search.