Driver who fled after West Salem police stop is captured in Illinois

A manhunt that began in West Salem on Tuesday has led to an arrest in a western suburb of Chicago.

The West Salem village Facebook page says 19-year-old Derek Braudt was apprehended in Bellwood, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, on Wednesday. Braudt was stopped Tuesday in West Salem after being seen driving at a high rate of speed. He reportedly appeared nervous, and turned over a liquor bottle before driving away, again at high speed.

Braudt eventually abandoned the vehicle near Lake Neshonoc, and ran into the woods. The village reported his arrest less than 24 hours later. Braudt could be charged with resisting arrest, fleeing an officer, and causing injury to a West Salem policeman’s hand when he drove away. There’s no word on when he might be returned to La Crosse County.