Germantown police release new photo of vehicle in hit-and-run crash; again plead for your help

GERMANTOWN -- Germantown police are again asking for the public's help in connection with a weekend fatal hit-and-run. This, as they release another photo of the suspect vehicle -- showing its distinctive front bumper.

50-year-old Keith Habenicht was killed in the hit-and-run crash that occurred on Sunday night, August 23rd.

Police say Habenicht was operating his bicycle southbound on Appleton Avenue, south of Mequon Road, when he was struck from behind around 8:15 p.m. Sunday night. The vehicle fled and Habenicht was pronounced dead at the scene.



Police say "no piece of information is too small" in this case.

Germantown police said late Monday the vehicle involved in this fatal hit-and-run incident had been recovered, and a suspect was in custody. But the suspect was released -- because there is not enough evidence yet to charge him in this case.

Germantown Police Chief Peter Hoell said in a Facebook post Thursday:

"You may have that one piece of information regarding this investigation that we are still looking for.

I understand that sometimes people don’t want to get involved, but now is not that time. It is our civic duty to get involved.

You can call the Germantown Police Department at 262-253-7780 and wish to stay anonymous.

Otherwise you can contact the Washington County Law Enforcement WE-TIP Line at 1-800-232-0594.

The WE-TIP Line offers cash rewards of up to $1,000 per case to citizens who provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction. All informants remain anonymous even when being paid."