By Jacob Mathias

A Wisconsin Rapids man pleaded no contest this week to charges of resisting or obstructing an officer, a Class A misdemeanor with a punishment up to nine months in jail, a $10,000 fine or both.

Joseph Kaser, 22, was taking out the trash when police arrived at his home due to calls of a disturbance at his residence on the 1800 block of Oak St. Kaser was there with a live-in girlfriend when police were called.

According to court documents, upon seeing police arrive, Kaser quickly walked behind the dumpsters he was at and appearing to avoid being spotted. Witness accounts say that when Kaser rounded the corner of his street and began running, losing pursuit of the first responding officer.

Law enforcement soon arrived and began to search the area for Kaser. According to one officer, he saw Kaser and threatened him with a K-9 unit to which his response was to keep running. Police made contact with Kaser soon after and arrested him.

The criminal complaint said Kaser told police he ran because he was afraid of being arrested and was arrogant and cocky enough to think he could get away.

Kaser was scheduled to appear in court on June 16 but failed to show. On June 17, a warrant was issued for his arrest. The warrant was cancelled on July 7 when Kaser voluntarily appeared in court. He was released that day on a $600 cash bond.

Kaser has not yet been sentenced and no sentencing date has been set at this time.