A Wisconsin man who reportedly led police on a high-speed and on-foot chase abruptly surrendered after being overwhelmed by swarms of mosquitoes.

Police responded to a Piggly Wiggly in Campbellsport Tuesday following reports that someone has stolen alcohol from the store. Manager Kevin Harvey told WDJT that the suspect was caught on surveillance cameras stocking his cart with hundreds of dollars worth of alcohol. Harvey claimed he recognized the suspect because it was the fourth time he had stolen from his store.

The suspect reportedly fled with three bottles of Jägermeister as Harvey attempted to confront him. He then hopped into a car driven by John Wilson and fled, according to the news station.

What allegedly followed was a three-mile chase during which the shoplifting suspect jumping out of a moving car and Wilson tried to hide in a cornfield. Campbellsport Police Chief Thomas Dornbrook said the mosquitoes were so bad that he asked his fellow officers for bug spray, according to KTRK.

Wilson reportedly emerged from the cornfield an hour later, saying he could no longer tolerate the bothersome insects.

“When we handcuffed him he asked us to wipe his forehead because he had 15-20 mosquitoes on his forehead at that time,” the police chief recalled.

Wilson is charged with fleeing officers, retail theft, and obstructing an officer. The suspected shoplifter remains at large.

“I think if it weren’t for the mosquitoes he would have kept walking and trying to get a ride from someone,” Dornbrook commented. “I tease Sergeant Zitlow, he along with a million mosquitoes helped capture the guy.”

[Featured image: John Wilson/KTRK video screengrab]