A high-stakes police chase in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ended in a crash after a woman and her child exited a stolen car, leaving another individual to continue the pursuit on a local freeway. The incident, recorded on police cameras, began when Greenfield police attempted to pull over the stolen vehicle near 74th Street and Barnard Avenue on Wednesday.
Police Initiate Traffic Stop on Stolen Car
Greenfield police officers initiated the traffic stop after identifying a vehicle reported as stolen. The driver, a woman, stopped the car and exited with a child in tow. As police approached, the woman waved her arms in front of a squad car, possibly in an attempt to communicate with the officers. During this time, she removed the child from the vehicle, seemingly indicating there were no other passengers involved. However, events quickly took a dramatic turn.
Passenger Assumes Control and Flee
As the woman and child left the scene, a male passenger who had been sitting in the stolen car’s front seat moved into the driver’s seat. Without hesitation, he took control of the vehicle and sped off, leading police on a high-speed chase onto Interstate 94. The pursuit covered several miles and created a tense situation for both law enforcement and other motorists.
Police Chase on Interstate 94 Ends in Crash
The chase culminated in a collision near the Holt Avenue exit on Interstate 94. The male driver crashed into another vehicle, which ultimately brought the pursuit to an end. Video footage from the police’s perspective shows officers approaching the stolen car with weapons drawn, ordering the driver to put his hands up. Despite the tension, the man was eventually taken into custody without further incident. Officers could be heard shouting, “Put your hands up!” and issuing warnings, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Woman Claims Ignorance of Car’s Stolen Status
Back at the initial traffic stop location in Greenfield, the woman engaged in conversation with an officer. She explained that she had met the man through Facebook and had asked him for a ride to an appointment. According to her statement, the man inquired if she had a driver’s license, to which she replied affirmatively. She then stated that he handed her the keys and asked her to drive, and she claimed she was unaware that the vehicle was stolen.
Arrests and Charges
Following the chase and subsequent crash, police arrested both individuals involved in the incident. The woman was detained at the initial stop location, while the man was taken into custody at the scene of the crash. Greenfield police have referred charges against both suspects to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
Legal Proceedings Await
The District Attorney’s Office will now decide on the specific charges to pursue, given the circumstances of the incident. Although the woman claims she did not know the car was stolen, both she and the male driver face potential charges. The arrest of the male driver, who had a revoked driver’s license, adds an additional layer of severity to the case. The video of the chase, shared widely, highlights the significant risk involved in such pursuits on busy roadways, particularly when innocent drivers are endangered by fleeing suspects.
Community and Police Response
The Milwaukee freeway incident has drawn attention to the dangers associated with police pursuits, especially those involving stolen vehicles. Greenfield police emphasized the importance of public safety and praised the officers involved for their efforts to minimize harm during the chase. However, the incident underscores the risks law enforcement officers face and the challenges of ensuring community safety during high-speed pursuits. The Milwaukee community and local authorities continue to assess the impact of this chase and the necessary steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The suspects remain in custody as the District Attorney’s Office reviews the case.
