Four teens, ages 13, 14, 16, 17 arrested, accused of using stolen van in crime spree on west side



MILWAUKEE -- Four teens were arrested, after police say they took part in a crime spree in a stolen van. Police say they were armed with a gun and terrorized Milwaukee's west side early Wednesday, June 22nd.

Just before 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, police say the four teens stole a 2007 Dodge Caravan from a parking lot near 26th Street and North Avenue -- and continued to use that van as a vehicle for violence.

"They subsequently went on to commit other crimes in that stolen vehicle," said Milwaukee Police Department Captain Johnny Sgrignuoli.

Four hours later, police say the teens sped through a parking lot inside the van and almost struck a woman and her child.

When she went to confront them...

"They pointed a weapon at a mother who was walking her seven-year-old child," said Captain Sgrignuoli.

Shortly after this incident, an armed robbery happened around 6:40 a.m. near 35th and Sarnow. The victim, a 20-year-old Milwaukee man, told officers several suspects approached him after getting out of the Caravan and stole his car, a 2007 Honda Accord, at gunpoint. The Accord was later located abandoned on Washington Boulevard near Highway 175.

Just five minutes later, near 44th and Lloyd, the teens held up a 66-year-old man who was out on a jog and stole his cell phone and keys.

"Not a lot of regard for people that are trying to make a living," said Captain Sgrignuoli.

Around 7:25 a.m., MPD officers located the stolen Dodge Caravan near 34th and Lloyd  and found four suspects near the car. The suspects, a 13-year-old boy, a 14-year-old boy, a 16-year-old boy, and a 17-year-old boy, were all taken into custody.



"We'll keep finding these people as they commit these crimes," said Sgrignuoli.

Police say all of the teenagers arrested have had prior contact with law enforcement.

MPD will present this case to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in the coming days for charges.