KUGLER TWP - A Wisconsin fugitive who threatened a St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop on Wahlsten Rd. just after Thursday midnight was apprehended after a short chase when a Babbitt Police officer used a taser to help subdue him.

According to a sheriff’s office press release, Eric Anthony Newman, 47, was stopped by the deputy for suspicious behavior in the 5200 block of Wahlsten Rd, east of the intersection with Highway 135, at 12:07 a.m. on Friday. As the deputy opened the door of his squad car and began issuing verbal commands, Newman put his truck into reverse and rammed the squad car with the deputy still inside, then fled eastbound.

The deputy immediately pursed the truck, but two attempts to force Newman to stop were unsuccessful.

A Babbitt Police officer responded to the area and deployed stop sticks on Highway 21, about three miles from the traffic stop location. Newman drove over the strips, causing damage to both front tires, but continued driving. The deputy was able to use his squad car to force Newman to stop about a half-mile beyond the stop sticks.

Newman exited the truck brandishing a screwdriver as a weapon. With his gun drawn, the deputy issued multiple commands for Newman to stop and drop the weapon, but he continued to approach the deputy. At that point the Babbitt officer successfully deployed his taser and Newman fell into the ditch. Newman continued to resist as the officers tried to place him in handcuffs, grabbing at the deputy’s gun belt and groin. Additional law enforcement officers arrived on scene and Newman was successfully secured.

The deputy was treated for a hand injury and the Babbitt Police offer had a facial injury caused by a head butt from the suspect. Newman was examined by Essentia Health staff in Virginia, was released, and

It was later determined that Newman had an active Wisconsin Department of Corrections warrant for his arrest, the release said. The Timberjay examined WDOC online records and discovered that Newman was convicted in 2019 of aggravated battery of a physically disabled person and forgery, both felonies, and misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and resisting or obstructing an officer. He also received a felony conviction for fleeing an officer in 2007. He was released on active community supervision in May 2021, but Wisconsin Department of Corrections records currently list his status as “absconded” and his whereabouts unknown.

It was also determined that the suspect was utilizing a law enforcement scanner on his iPhone during the incident.

Newman was booked into St. Louis County Jail at 4:0 p.m. Friday and is being held without bail on 13 felony and misdemeanor charges, including second degree assault, fourth degree assault, first degree damage to property, fifth degree drug possession, fleeing in a motor vehicle, obstructing with force "attempting to disarm a police officer,” use of police radio during a commission of a crime, fourth degree DUI, possession of metal knuckles, reckless driving and driving after revocation.

“Although deadly force options were justified numerous times during the incident with this suspect, the two law enforcement officers chose less lethal tactics and options which resulted in a successful end to the incident,” said St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office supervising deputy Jon Skelton.