What started as an attempted car theft on Milwaukee's west side turned into a brief downtown pursuit and crash Wednesday afternoon, according to police, with three juveniles ending the day in custody and a firearm recovered from the scene.
Police: Shot Fired During Attempted Car Theft
Milwaukee police say the trouble began around 3:30 p.m. near 32nd Street and Wisconsin Avenue when a victim confronted someone trying to steal their car and a shot was fired, according to FOX6 News Milwaukee. Officers reported that no one was hit by the gunfire.
How The Chase Unfolded
Not long after, officers spotted the suspect vehicle near 12th Street and McKinley Avenue and tried to pull it over. Police say the driver took off instead, triggering a short pursuit. The chase ended when the reportedly stolen vehicle lost control and crashed into another car near 12th Street and State Street. According to the Milwaukee Police Department, the three occupants ran from the wreck but were caught after a brief foot chase.
Arrests, Injuries And Next Steps
Police identified those arrested as a 14-year-old driver, a 16-year-old passenger and an 11-year-old passenger. All three were taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-fatal injuries, FOX6 reports. Officers recovered a firearm at the scene and say charges tied to the incident will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
Context: Vehicle Thefts And Local Response
The case lands amid ongoing concern over stolen cars and reckless driving across Milwaukee. City and county leaders have been weighing new rules that would allow impoundment of vehicles driven recklessly as one possible response, according to reporting in Urban Milwaukee. At the same time, federal and local authorities have been pursuing organized auto-theft rings, a trend covered by TMJ4, which officials say helps explain why encounters with stolen vehicles can quickly turn into short but dangerous pursuits.
Police say the investigation into Wednesday's incident remains active and that they are working with prosecutors on potential charges. Authorities told media outlets they plan to provide updates once the District Attorney’s Office reviews the case.
