Victim of bump-and-run robbery upset alleged 17-year-old thief is out of jail on $10K cash bail



MILWAUKEE -- How did this happen? That is the question a Milwaukee mother is asking about the release of a suspect who allegedly stole her car with her infant inside. The teen is out on bail, and some wonder how he paid $10,000 to get out.

Elizabeth Gehrke



"I didn't know if I was ever going to see my son again," said Elizabeth Gehrke.

Elizabeth Gehrke says her one-month-old was in the back seat of her car when two men allegedly performed a "bump-and-run robbery" last month. They hit the back of Gehrke's car and then stole it, later leaving the baby on the curb.

Suspects dump baby from vehicle after "bump and run" carjacking near 66th and Montana



Police arrested 22-year-old Matthew Long and 17-year-old Avan Kittler. Milwaukee police say both were involved in a four-day long crime spree that also included a triple shooting and other thefts.

Matthew Long, Avan Kittler



Gehrke is still trying to understand how one of the suspects was able to post bail. Long's bail was set at $200,000 cash. Kittler's bail was set at $10,000 cash -- and he was recently released.

Both face a long list of charges.

"This sends the absolutely wrong message," said Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan.

Alderman Bob Donovan



Alderman Bob Donovan is also questioning how this happened. Online court records show Kittler was deemed "indigent" or poor by the court, and provided a public defender.

"I would ask that individual, how he earned that kind of money and where it came from," said Donovan.

We can't show you the photos, but FOX6 News has seen multiple pictures posted on a social media page allegedly belonging to Kittler, showing the 17-year-old with huge wads of hundred dollar bills.

Avan Kittler



"I've seen him waving around cash on Facebook," said Gehrke.

"I'm certain that that is drugs," said Donovan.

Donovan says this issue will be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the city's public safety committee. Gehrke hopes someone takes a hard stance before another victim has to beg for answers.

"We need the people who are getting accused and actually caught to be held accountable," said Gehrke.

Milwaukee County District Attorney Kent Lovern is out of town, but his office tells FOX6 they initially asked for bail to be set at $100,000.

We reached out to the court commissioner who set bail at $10,000, but didn't hear back.