The show must go on! Theater actor leads cops on a wild chase after they tried to arrest him for theft and he refused because he had to perform in a play

  • David Neese, 61, was stopped in Plymouth for a broken taillight on February 10
  • Wisconsin officials quickly realized he was flagged in their system for theft
  • Dash cam footage shows the moment Neese takes off, leading police on a chase
  • Neeson said he had a play to attend the next day and would turn himself in after
  • He was eventually arrested and ended up missing the performance the next day 

David Neese, 61, is accused of leading police on a chase because he didn't want to miss a performance the next day

David Neese, 61, is accused of leading police on a chase because he didn't want to miss a performance the next day

A community theater actor is accused of leading Wisconsin police on a chase to avoid arrest so he could star in the play Noises Off.

David Neese, 61, was stopped by Sheboygan County Sheriff's Deputies for a broken headlight along Highway 57 in Plymouth on Saturday, February 10. 

However, officers quickly realized Neese was wanted for theft.

'In-house has it flagged, he has probably cause to be arrested,' the officer is heard saying on dash cam footage of the incident.

When police tried to take him into custody, Neese informed the officer that it was an inconvenient time for him to go to jail, as he had a play to star in the next day, and he took off. 

He added he would 'turn himself in after the show', the officer recounted to his partner.

The community theater actor was stopped in Plymouth for a broken taillight on February 10

The community theater actor was stopped in Plymouth for a broken taillight on February 10

Neeson is then seeing stopping his car about a minute after taking off and starting the police chase.

'We're not doing this again, turn the engine off and get out of the car,' the officer tells the committed actor. 

But Neese didn't listen, and drives off once again, continuing southbound on HIghway 57.

The actor only stopped for good minutes later, when road spikes punctured his tire.

After trying to flee twice, Neeson finally complied, exited his car and turned himself in

After trying to flee twice, Neeson finally complied, exited his car and turned himself in

Neese never made it to the play, as he was cuffed and taken to jail after the incident

Neese never made it to the play, as he was cuffed and taken to jail after the incident

Calumet County Community Theater confirmed Neese (pictured in the middle in the back row with the rest of the cast) was supposed to appear in their play Noises Off over the weekend

Calumet County Community Theater confirmed Neese (pictured in the middle in the back row with the rest of the cast) was supposed to appear in their play Noises Off over the weekend

When instructed to turn off his car's engine and get out of the car, he finally complies, exiting the vehicle and walking towards police with his hands on his head.  

Neese never made it to the play, as he was cuffed and taken to jail after the incident.

Calumet County Community Theater confirmed he was supposed to appear in their play Noises Off over the weekend, and did not show up for Sunday's performance.  

Neese was due to play Lloyd Dallas,

They didn't know why until Fox6 informed them of the bizarre chase Neeson took police on the previous day.

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