Man arrested after foot pursuit

On June 20, a man identified as Patrick Berger, 29, of La Crosse, went to the Crawford County Jail and attempted to post bond for an inmate housed at the jail. 

Crawford County deputies observed Berger drive to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, where he exhibited signs of narcotics impairment while talking with jail personnel. Deputies made contact with Berger while the Crawford County K-9 unit deployed K-9 Breck around the exterior of the vehicle Berger drove to the sheriff’s office. K-9 Breck indicated the presence of narcotics. 

A search of the vehicle was conducted, and found within was a container with a large amount of a brown powdery substance, a clear plastic bag and a cut plastic straw containing a white crystal-like residue. The brown powder later tested positive for heroin, and the white crystal-like residue tested positive for methamphetamine. 

During the vehicle search, Berger fled from the sheriff’s department on foot. After a short foot pursuit, a lieutenant with the sheriff’s department was able to take Berger into custody at a business near the intersection of Marquette and Blackhawk roads. 

Berger is currently being held at the Crawford County Jail on charges of possession of a narcotic drug (heroin), possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer. Assisting was the Prairie du Chien Police Department.