Kenosha County Chase Splits Into Two Pursuits, Ends in Illinois Cornfield Arrest

An attempt to detain wanted suspects outside a Somers Walmart erupted into two simultaneous high-speed police chases across Kenosha County, ending with a crash that injured three bystanders, a foot pursuit through a cornfield, and felony charges referred against all three people arrested. Cody Frank, Sable Russell, and Ace Frank now face a combined slate of counts including first-degree reckless endangering safety, reckless injury, and fleeing an officer, according to the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office.

The incident began when Kenosha Drug Operations Group detectives received information about a wanted person near the Somers Walmart, according to FOX6 News Milwaukee. When sheriff's deputies and detectives moved to detain the wanted suspects, both pickup trucks fled the parking lot, touching off two vehicle pursuits that occurred simultaneously. Cody Frank drove a grey pickup truck that rammed a marked squad car before deputies chased both vehicles westbound on County Highway S at a high rate of speed.

The grey pickup continued westbound on County Highway H before Cody Frank's pursuit continued onto I-41, according to the outlet's report. Law enforcement deployed tire deflation devices on his vehicle, which flattened its tires before it came to a stop just south of the state line in Lake County, Illinois. Cody Frank fled the scene on foot and ran into a cornfield before he was taken into custody a short time later — but not before one deputy sustained minor injuries while taking him into custody.

A Second Chase Ends in a Crash

The white pickup truck, believed to be occupied by Ace Frank and operated by a woman, turned northbound on County Highway H during the second pursuit. Sable Russell lost control of the vehicle while attempting to turn onto County Highway L, and the truck struck an uninvolved vehicle. Three people inside that uninvolved vehicle sustained minor injuries, and Sable Russell and Ace Frank were taken into custody after the crash.

All three suspects were taken to a hospital for evaluation following their arrests. A second deputy was also treated for possible fentanyl exposure during the encounter and was later released from the hospital. Medical toxicologists with the American College of Medical Toxicology reaffirmed in a November 2025 position statement that the risk of a responder suffering clinically significant opioid toxicity from incidental dermal contact is essentially zero, even though hospital evaluations remain standard precaution when officers handle seized narcotics.

Evidence of Burglaries and Drug Trafficking

Authorities recovered narcotics, fake IDs, burglary tools, communication equipment, jewelry, and nearly $12,000 in cash from the vehicles. Sheriff's officials say the group had a history of fleeing and resisting arrest using false names and identification, and the suspects admitted they fled because they knew they had outstanding warrants. As CBS News reported, the search of the vehicles turned up evidence connected to multi-state burglaries in addition to the drug trafficking equipment found at the scene.

All three suspects had outstanding warrants from numerous states, and the group was wanted for various burglaries, thefts, and narcotics charges. Cody Frank was held on five out-of-state warrants, while Ace Frank was held on an Illinois warrant. Because Cody Frank was apprehended across state lines, his return to Wisconsin will require formal extradition proceedings or a voluntary waiver under the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act adopted by both Wisconsin and Illinois, a process that requires a governor-issued executive warrant unless he waives his right to a hearing in Illinois.

Sheriff Points to Coordinated Response

Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner said the suspects made an incredibly dangerous and reckless attempt to avoid accountability, and that they showed no regard for the safety of deputies, motorists, or the public. He said three dangerous fugitives were now in custody after coordinated law-enforcement efforts. The sheriff's office has previously stressed that deputies weigh public risk during active pursuits but will not become an agency of inaction, according to prior comments reported by the Kenosha County Eye.

The Kenosha County Sheriff's Office has referred felony charges to the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office for all three suspects. Cody Frank faces seven counts of first-degree reckless endangering safety, along with fleeing or eluding an officer, resisting or obstructing causing substantial bodily harm or soft-tissue injury, possession of a controlled substance, and criminal damage to property over $2,500. Sable Russell faces seven counts of first-degree reckless endangering safety, first-degree reckless injury or great bodily harm, fleeing or eluding an officer, resisting or obstructing an officer, four counts of possession of narcotic drugs, possession of burglarious tools, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Ace Frank faces four counts of possession of narcotic drugs, possession of burglarious tools, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Under Wisconsin law, each count of first-degree recklessly endangering safety is a Class F felony carrying up to 12.5 years in prison and fines up to $25,000, while first-degree reckless injury is a Class D felony punishable by as much as 25 years behind bars. Fleeing an officer is a Class I felony with a maximum of 3.5 years, and resisting an officer causing injury can be charged as a Class H felony carrying up to six years. Detectives are coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies to investigate other crimes and additional charges, and the sheriff's office says the investigation remains open. Detectives are also still working to determine whether Sable Russell has warrants under known aliases.