Teens Arrested for Stealing a Car Following Police Chase

 Posted on September 15, 2022 in Criminal Defense

If we are being honest, we have all made decisions and done things that we are not proud of, and some might have even led to rather unfortunate results. Relatively few of us, however, have ever done something that might lead to a police chase. Frighteningly enough, this is exactly what happened last week in Milwaukee, when four teenagers allegedly stole a car and led police on a chase that ended in a late-night crash.

A Scary Situation

According to police and new reports, four teenage boys were taken into custody in the early hours of the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. The boys were arrested for allegedly stealing a car and attempting to evade Milwaukee police. The chase ended near 27th and Nash when the car that the boys were in collided with another vehicle.

Representatives from the Milwaukee police say that the driver of the allegedly stolen vehicle was a 15-year-old boy. The other occupants of the car were all males, including another 15-year-old and two 14-year-olds. The police say that vehicle was taken in a robbery and that a firearm was found in the vehicle after the accident. All four were taken into police custody pending a decision on criminal charges from the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office.

Wisconsin Vehicle Theft Laws

In this particular case, it is likely that the alleged perpetrators will have their charges, if any, handled in the state’s juvenile court system. If they had been adults, however, the potential penalties would be quite serious.

Under Wisconsin law, taking and driving a vehicle without the consent of the owner is a Class I felony. Class I felonies are punishable by up to 3 ½ years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. If the vehicle was taken by force, the charge is likely to be a Class E felony, punishable by 15 years in prison and fines of up to $50,000. If a firearm is involved, the charge will probably be a Class C felony. A Class C felony conviction carries up to 40 years in prison and fines of up $100,000.

As with most criminal cases, the severity of the charges and the associated penalties can vary dramatically depending on the specific circumstances of the case in question. A qualified criminal defense lawyer can help you understand how prosecutors might handle your case.

Call a Milwaukee County Auto Theft Defense Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with an offense related to stealing a car, do not delay. Contact an experienced Milwaukee criminal defense attorney at Bucher Law Group, LLC right away. Call 262-303-4916 to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a skilled member of our team to get the help you need with your case.

Sources:

https://www.fox6now.com/news/milwaukee-pursuit-stolen-car-crashed-teens-arrested

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/943/iii/23/5

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/939/iv/50