Sept. 12, 2025
VIROQUA, Wis. — A Minnesota man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase and stealing a Town of Wheatland dump truck is now in custody in Vernon County following his extradition from Rochester, Minn.
You can read our previous reports about the manhunt for Gossman and what spurred that incident here.
Nathan Randal Gossman, 40, of Canton, Minn., was transported to the Vernon County Detention Center on Wednesday after waiving formal extradition proceedings. He appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court on Thursday, where Judge Timothy J. Gaskell ordered a $25,000 cash bond. Gossman is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 23 at 8:30 a.m.
Gossman faces nine criminal charges filed by Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher, including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, stemming from a series of incidents between Aug. 15 and Aug. 18. Authorities say the charges are related to a high-speed pursuit, a foot chase, and the alleged theft of a municipal truck.
Timeline of Events:
- Aug. 15: Viroqua Police attempted to arrest Gossman and another man, Jesse Devlaeminck of Rochester, Minn., on outstanding warrants. Devlaeminck was taken into custody, but Gossman fled in a vehicle, nearly striking an officer. The pursuit ended near Retreat, where Gossman crashed and fled on foot.
- Aug. 16: Vernon County authorities reported the theft of a gray 2017 Dodge Ram 5500 dump truck marked “Town of Wheatland,” believed to have been stolen by Gossman in Redmound, rural De Soto.
- Aug. 17–18: Sheriff Roy Torgerson issued public safety alerts urging residents to secure property and check surveillance footage. The stolen truck was recovered in Rochester, Minn., on the morning of Aug. 18.
- Aug. 18 (Evening): Gossman was apprehended in Rochester and held at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center pending extradition.
The case remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the Viroqua Police Department. Authorities emphasize that a charge is merely an accusation and Gossman is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty
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