Fatal hit-and-run driver still at large, Germantown police seek your help; "do something...let's end this"

GERMANTOWN -- Germantown police are still seeking the public's help, again. They still have some loose ends in a fatal hit-and-run case from August, 2015. This case is unique because police have the car involved and know the owner of the car, but can't yet tie the two to the crime.

Keith Habenicht and family

"Think of those kids. Think of that family. Do something, say something, let's end this thing," said Germantown Police Chief Peter Hoell.

Chief Hoell speaks about the two teenage children of Keith Habenicht -- the man killed by a hit-and-run driver, while riding his bike not far from his home on August 23rd, on Appleton Avenue near Mequon Road. Since then, a GoFundMe page has been set up with a goal of $15,000 to help the victim's children.

"It's very simple, just click on it. It's easy to register your credit card and donate. Even if it's just $10, $20, every little bit helps. We're really trying to push that for the family," said Chief Hoell.

The other thing Chief Hoell is pushing for, is the driver responsible for Habenicht's death to come forward -- or anyone with information about it.

They identified the car thanks to the surveillance camera mounted on Meeker Hill Auto Sales. The attorney for the car's owner contacted police and arranged a meeting with the owner at his Menomonee Falls home. Police got the car.

Germantown Police Department

"We also took the car owner into custody but booked him on owner's liability for hit-and-run," said Chief Hoell.

But not for the hit-and-run itself, because the owner is not talking and the driver can't be identified by the video. Hoell is hoping the additional evidence coming from the crime lab and tips from the public, will solve the case -- if not the driver.

"If anybody thinks that we're going to stop at this point and give up, it's not going to happen. We're going to pursue this thing until we can get a conviction if it means one year, ten years, whatever," said Chief Hoell.

The car involved in the hit-and-run remains in Germantown police custody as evidence.

If you have any information regarding this incident, you are asked to contact the Germantown Police Department at 262-253-7780.