Alert MPD sergeant tracks down, arrests burglary suspect

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- An alert Milwaukee police sergeant was able to track down a burglary suspect and take him into custody.

In the early morning hours of Friday, March 1st Police Sergeant Robert Thiel was on patrol in the Palonia Neighborhood. Data showed that there had been an increase in burglaries in the area and officers were on the lookout for whoever was responsible.

Sergeant Thiel was parked on the corner of South 13th Street and West Montana Street when he saw a person running and carrying a large object. He suspected the item to a television, something often stolen by burglars.

As Sergeant Thiel’s squad car approached the person, his suspicions were confirmed. The person dropped the television and kept running.

Sergeant Thiel leapt from his car, continuing the chase on foot. The burglar couldn’t run fast enough though, and he was promptly caught.

Officer Vincent Andryscczyk responded to the chase and was able to find the house where the television had been stolen. He also learned that the home had been broken into several months earlier. In that burglary, a television had also been stolen.

Detective Phillip Sliwinski of the South Investigations Division interviewed the 18-year-old suspect. The suspect told him that he knew the residents and confessed to breaking into the house both times.

The suspect was arrested for Burglary, a Class F Felony punishable by up to 12 ½ years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both.

Members of the community are reminded to report suspicious vehicles and individuals and to always secure their residence when not at home.