GOGEBIC COUNTY, MI — A fugitive wanted in connection with a charge out of Gogebic County is now back in custody after authorities tracked him down Thursday afternoon near the Michigan-Wisconsin border.
Jeremy Eugene Geesey, 53, was taken into custody after deputies received a tip from a resident in Iron County, Wisconsin. Sheriff Jorge H. Cruz said that lead helped officers locate Geesey, with assistance from K-9 Deputy Debwe.
Geesey had been sought after disappearing in Hurley, Wisconsin, on Wednesday. Local agencies from both Michigan and Wisconsin worked together on the search, which ended with his capture later in the day Thursday.
How deputies used a Wisconsin tip to narrow the search
Officials said the break in the case came from a member of the public in Iron County, just across the state line in Wisconsin. That information allowed deputies to focus their efforts and move quickly once the tip was received.
Sheriff Cruz credited the response that followed, saying the cooperation between agencies on both sides of the border helped bring the search to a close. K-9 Deputy Debwe also played a role in the apprehension.
The sheriff’s office did not say exactly where Geesey was found or describe the circumstances of the arrest, but it confirmed that he was apprehended Thursday afternoon and returned to custody.
Why Geesey had been sought by investigators
Before the arrest, Geesey was wanted on a fugitive from justice charge, according to the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said he was last seen Wednesday, Sept. 9, in Hurley, Wisconsin.
Authorities described him as a white man with blue eyes and brown hair. He is about 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs roughly 185 pounds.
The case drew attention because Geesey was believed to be near the border between Michigan and Wisconsin, where deputies from multiple agencies were trying to locate him quickly before he could move farther away.
The public warning issued before the arrest
On Thursday morning, before deputies announced the capture, the sheriff’s office asked residents for help finding Geesey. Officials urged anyone with information to contact the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office or call 911.
The public notice included the department’s telephone number, 906-667-0203, and stressed that even small pieces of information could help investigators narrow the search. That appeal was later answered by the tip from Iron County.
The sequence reflected a common pattern in local law enforcement work: public alerts can quickly turn into actionable leads when neighbors recognize a person or notice activity that seems out of place.
Border-area cooperation between Michigan and Wisconsin agencies
The arrest also highlighted how often agencies in neighboring counties rely on one another in border communities. In this case, Michigan and Wisconsin officers worked together to locate a man moving through a region where state lines can complicate a search.
Gogebic County officials thanked the public for staying alert and helping out during the effort. Sheriff Cruz said the case showed the value of residents speaking up when they see something that may matter.
The department has not announced any additional charges or said what will happen next in the case. For now, the key development is simple: a man wanted as a fugitive from justice is no longer at large.
What residents were told to watch for during the search
During the search, authorities asked people to be on the lookout for a man matching Geesey’s description and to avoid trying to approach him directly. Instead, residents were told to contact law enforcement right away.
That advice is standard in cases involving a wanted person, especially when officers are still trying to confirm a location and assess the situation safely. The sheriff’s office repeated the importance of calling 911 if Geesey was seen.
With the arrest complete, the urgent public alert is over, but officials said the cooperation from residents and agencies was a major factor in bringing the case to a close so quickly.
