NEILSVILLE, Wis. (WEAU) -- A Clark County Jail inmate is back behind bars after leading several law enforcement agencies on a chase lasting four hours on Friday outside of Neilsville.

Clark County Sheriff Gregory Herrick said after hitting a deputy in the face, 18-year-old Christopher E. Demarrias of Neilsville escaped and ran off into a wooded area.

Herrick said a neighbor’s quick thinking helped them catch the escapee.

At 1:30 p.m. Demarrias made his escape.

“Mr. Demarrias assaulted one of our officers in the face and was able to escape,” said Clark County Chief Deputy James Backus.

Backus said Demarrias then fled the Memorial Medical Center in Neilsville, where he was being cared for in the Emergency Room, and into the nearby woods surrounding the Black River.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Department said it received K-9 assistance from the cities of Colby-Abbotsford, Loyal and Jackson County to perform the massive manhunt.

The Sheriff’s Department said it also received air assistance from a local citizen.

But it was the call from a township of Pine Valley resident which put the Sheriff’s Department hot on Demarrias’ trail.

“They heard some noises of steel being scraped and someone trying to break a door down. He knew we were looking for someone so he made a quick call,” Herrick said.

Herrick said minutes later, deputies moved in on the house on Moonlite Road in the township of Pine Valley and saw Demarrias through the windows.

“The house was surrounded by K-9 dogs and airplanes in the air. He knew that this was it and it was time to give up,” Herrick said.

The sheriff said no one was home at the Pine Valley house when Demarrias decided to use it as a hiding spot, and he was taken into custody with little resistance.

Herrick said he’s thankful for the help of people who keep an eye on their neighborhoods.

“We’re minimal staffed. A neighborhood watch and good neighbors are like money in the bank. That is what it takes to keep our community safe,” Herrick said.

The Sheriff’s Department said Demarrias is being transferred to the Mendota Mental Health Facility and reports are being submitted to the Clark County District Attorney’s Office for possible charges.

Backus said Demarrias was booked into the Clark County Jail on Thursday, August 4 on a Probation Violation.

The deputy who was hit in the face was treated at the hospital and released.
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CLARK COUNTY (WEAU) - The Clark County Sheriff's Department says about 1:30 Friday afternoon a jail inmate escaped custody while getting a medical check up.

The department says 18-year-old Christopher E. Demarrias was in the emergency room when he hit a deputy in the head knocking the officer over. Demarrias fled on foot into the woods near the Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville. The department started a search with the help of several area K-9 units and a plane from a private citizen.

About 2:00 the Sheriff's Department got a call that the suspect was in the area of the O'Neil Creek and the Black River. Demarrias was seen in a house officers entered the home and took him into custody. He will be transported to Mendota Mental Health Facility. The case will be forwarded to the Clark County District Attorney's office for possible charges.

The deputy injured in the emergency room was treated and released by the emergency room staff.

The Clark County Sheriff's Department says it would like to thank the citizens that provided information.

We will have more information on WEAU 13 News at 10.
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UPDATE: Our reporter at the scene says deputies have just found and arrested Christopher E. Demarrias near Hill Road and Grand Avenue, outside of Neillsville.

He was hiding in a house that he had broken into. A neighbor heard him, and called for help.

We will have more information on WEAU 13 News at 6.

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CLARK COUNTY (WEAU) - Investigators are searching on the ground and in the air for an escaped inmate.

Officers say Christopher Demarrias punched an officer in the face before escaping a hospital in Neillsville around 1:30 p.m Friday. That officer was not seriously hurt.

Since then, investigators have heard from a fisherman who believes he saw Demarrias. They believe he has at least one of his hands out of his handcuffs, but do not believe he's a threat.

At about 5:10 p.m. Friday, crews were at Grand Avenue and Hill Road near Neillsville. They are using dogs and a helicopter and plane to help with the search. There are no evacuations, but officers are telling people living nearby to be cautious and aware of what's going on.

Our crew at the scene is gathering information, and we'll have updates on WEAU 13 News at 6 and 10.

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UPDATE: Our crew on the scene says Grand Avenue near the Black River Bridge in Neillsville is closed off right now.

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The Clark County Sheriff’s Department says it’s looking for an escaped inmate. The department says 18-year-old Christopher E. Demarrias escaped while getting a medical check at a local hospital.

Right now deputies other officers, K-9 units and a plane are all looking for the man. The department says it’s unclear how Demarrias escaped but he took off on foot and was last seen near the Black River near Neillsville. Deputies say he’s not dangerous.

We will have the latest on this developing story right here on WEAU.com and on WEAU 13 News at 6 and 10.