06/29/2026
MONONA POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE: Wanted Person โ Eluding & Outstanding Warrant
CASE NUMBER: MO26-07938
DATE: June 27, 2026
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on June 27, 2026, an MOPD officer attempted to stop a vehicle on the Beltline after observing it speeding. In addition to the speeding violation, the officer observed driving behavior consistent with impairment. The vehicle also displayed an obscured temporary registration. Instead of pulling over, the driver accelerated away at a high rate of speed, initiating a vehicle pursuit. The vehicle continued traveling westbound on US 12 before exiting onto Park St. Based on the anticipated traffic conditions and other factors present, the officer terminated the pursuit.
Approximately 90mins later, the same vehicle was spotted by MOPD traveling northbound on US 51 at E. Broadway. When an officer again attempted a traffic stop, the driver once again fled, traveling at a high rate of speed before exiting onto Cottage Grove Rd. The driver eventually turned onto a dead-end road in Monona. The suspect then jumped from the vehicle while it was still in gear, causing it to roll over a curb and become partially submerged along the shoreline of Lake Monona. Despite repeated commands to stop, the suspect continued to flee on foot. Officers first cleared the vehicle to ensure no one remained inside or had entered the water. They then began searching for the suspect, who was last seen running through backyards along the shoreline. The search included officers from our partner agencies, the deployment of a police K9, and the use of a police drone. Despite these efforts, the suspect was not located that night.
Officers located evidence of illegal drug use and open intoxicants inside the abandoned vehicle, which was subsequently impounded. Officers also recovered additional evidence, including an identification card belonging to the suspect observed fleeing on foot. Based on the whole of the investigation, officers developed probable cause to arrest the below individual.
Wanted/At-Large Subject: India D. Cole, 22, Madison
MOPD has probable cause to arrest Ms. Cole for Felony Eluding (x 2), Second-Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety (x 2), along with multiple traffic offenses for violations committed in Monona. At the time of these incidents, Ms. Cole had an outstanding arrest warrant for Felony Retail Theft. Charges in that case were filed by the Dane County District Attorney's Office in 2025 as a result of an investigation by another law enforcement agency. Ms. Cole has prior Wisconsin convictions in Dane County for Resisting or Obstructing an Officer and Operating a Vehicle Without the Owner's Consent as an Intentional Passenger. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty on her latest charges/allegations.
MOPD was assisted by our colleagues at Fitchburg PD, Maple Bluff PD, MPD, DCSO and the Dane County 911/PSC.
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Since the eluding incidents, Ms. Cole has contacted MOPD on multiple occasions inquiring about her impounded vehicle. During those conversations, she acknowledged being in possession of the vehicle that night and stated she had been drinking at a bar beforehand. She provided a story that was inconsistent with the evidence developed during the investigation, including the pursuing officer's positive identification of her as the driver. We encouraged her to turn herself in on our probable cause and the outstanding warrant. Thus far, she has refused to do so.
Ms. Cole, here's yet another opportunity to do the right thing.
Cases like this don't go away.....and cars rust.
Respectfully,
-Chief Chaney
(Pictured: Squad video capture of abandoned suspect vehicle)
