Birnamwood woman held on $10K cash bond

A 42-year-old Birnamwood woman is facing multiple felony charges in relation to a May 25 police chase outside of Aniwa.

Theresa Gunderson has been charged with one count of attempting to flee or elude an officer, one count of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, one count of resisting an officer — causing a soft tissue injury to an officer, one count of possession of an electric weapon, nine counts of bail jumping and one misdemeanor count of resisting or obstructing an officer.

She faces up to 12½ years in prison along with $10,000 in fines for first degree recklessly endangering safety, six years in prison along with a $10,000 fine for resisting an officer — causing a soft tissue injury to the officer and six years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each bail jumping count if convicted.

The criminal complaint states that a Shawano County deputy was in an unmarked patrol vehicle when they responded to a domestic incident at N11531 Summer Street in Aniwa. The complaint goes on to say that Gunderson left the residence and passed another deputy at 113 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. According to the complaint, the deputy saw Gunderson put on her brake lights, which was followed by another deputy, who was following the suspect.

The complaint goes on to say that both Gunderson and the other deputy pulled to the side of the road on U.S. Highway 45. Gunderson then allegedly backed up into the deputy’s vehicle and started driving west on Marsh Road, just south of Aniwa. The vehicle allegedly started to fishtail, left the roadway and went into the ditch. From there, it was stated that Gunderson was not able to get out of the driver’s side door and instead used the passenger front door to exit the vehicle. The deputy said that they got out of their vehicle and started chasing Gunderson on foot.

After failing to stop running for the deputy, the criminal complaint states that the deputy deployed their electronic control device. One probe allegedly struck Gunderson in the back and the other missed. After switching cartridges, the deputy deployed again, this time striking Gunderson in the back of the leg and the back.

In a struggle to get control, the deputy’s left middle finger was injured. After dropping the electronic control device, Gunderson allegedly picked it up. The complaint states that the deputy was able to get the device away from Gunderson and the other deputy showed up to the scene.

According to the complaint, Gunderson smelled like alcohol and told the deputies that her boyfriend had beaten her up. Gunderson allegedly stated that she backed into the squad car and ran because she did not want to go to jail. Gunderson allegedly requested an ambulance, where she said that she did not have insurance for the vehicle and that she was not wearing a seat belt.

The deputy said that they issued citations for speeding, operating while intoxicated, reckless endangerment, fleeing/eluding and non-registration. The complaint also stated that a makeup bag was located in the vehicle and contained potential drug paraphernalia. The bag was transported to the evidence technician to be tested. There was no report on the test.

Gunderson was charged May 26, where Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge Katherine Sloma ordered her to be held on a $10,000 cash bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Gunderson on June 10.