Man leads law enforcement on two high speed chases

A county resident led law enforcement on two high speed chases in the space of one evening on the weekend. William Hamilton was eventually arrested after reports of a disturbance at a county residence led to him allegedly fleeing from police for several hours.

According to an initial report from the Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to a residence in the county, south of Moorcroft, at around 7:18 p.m. on January 31 for a report of a verbal domestic disturbance. He reports seeing two people standing in the yard, one of whom was later identified as William Hamilton.

Hamilton allegedly demanded to know why the deputy was there; the second person advised they had called 911. The deputy reports that Hamilton refused to comply with commands to come towards his patrol vehicle and instead entered the residence, emerging moments later.

Hamilton allegedly got into a black vehicle and left the scene by driving through a neighboring yard. Along with a Moorcroft police officer, the deputy pursued Hamilton, who turned into the BNSF Railroad right-of-way and traveled parallel to the railroad tracks back toward Warbonnet Road.

The peace officers report eventually losing contact with Hamilton and returning to the residence. The reporting party advised that Hamilton had taken their phone and broken it as they were talking with the dispatcher.

Hamilton returned to the scene and a second deputy initiated another pursuit with the vehicle, which reportedly continued from Warbonnet Road to Hwy 16 east to Thornton Road, then north on Thornton Road back into Crook County, then from Wagner Road to I-90 at Pine Ridge. The deputy reports that the pursuit then continued west to Wind Creek Road and then north.

A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper assumed the primary pursuit position on Hwy 116 due to speeds reaching well over 100 miles per hour. The pursuit was terminated on Wind Creek Road due to safety concerns created by dust and a lack of visibility.

At around 10:50 p.m., dispatch received a report that Hamilton was at another residence on Iron Run Road. He had allegedly walked to the residence, knocked on the door and reported that his vehicle had broken down.

Two troopers and two deputies responded to the residence and Hamilton was taken into custody without incident. He has been charged with interference with a police officer, fleeing/eluding, interference with emergency communications, destruction of property, careless driving, speeding and criminal trespass.