Police: 16-year-old boy accused in armed carjacking in broad daylight after stealing gun from grandma

MILWAUKEE -- A woman was carjacked at gunpoint outside a popular coffee shop in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood, and police say the suspect is a teenager, on probation at the time of the alleged crime.

The carjacking happened outside the Colectivo Coffee near Humboldt and Locust shortly before noon on Sunday, May 29th.

Police learned a 16-year-old boy had approached the 31-year-old female victim -- pointing a gun at her and demanding her car keys.

The suspect then fled the scene in the victim's car, which was spotted a few minutes later by officers in the area.

The 16-year-old boy was arrested after a pursuit. The suspect vehicle got a flat tire near 42nd and Silver Spring Drive, and the teenager tried to run, but he was apprehended. Officers found a stolen gun on him.

Police say that gun was stolen by the boy from his own grandmother -- while she was at church.

"Hearing about it in broad daylight is nerve-racking," Morgan Mitrovic, a Riverwest resident said.

Milwaukee Police Department

Also disconcerting for some is the teenage suspect's lengthy rap sheet -- which includes previous arrests for battery, criminal damage to property, theft, operating vehicle without owner’s consent-passenger, possession of dangerous weapon by person under 18.

Lt. William Beauchene is in charge of MPD's Robbery Task Force.

"Unfortunately, it's an all too common occurrence. There are several juveniles that we end up arresting multiple times for different offenses. These attacks are brazen. The kids don't seem to feel there's any consequence to their actions and if they're not held to task for that, this trend will continue," Lt. Beauchene said.

In this case, police say the teen was charged in adult court with fleeing. The other charges, armed robbery, carjacking and theft of a firearm are being handled in the juvenile system.