Dashcam video shows Butler police chasing teens driving stolen car

VILLAGE OF BUTLER -- They should have been in school but instead they took Butler police on a wild chase that ended in Milwaukee. Butler police released two different dashcam videos on Friday, March 16 of the chase that ended near 92nd and Hampton -- with the help of a Good Samaritan. Officials say the chase ended with the arrest of five teenagers driving a stolen car.

"They never gave a 'Why' as to why they are out doing this and not in school," said Butler Police Chief David Wentlandt.

Chief David Wentlandt says, stolen vehicles pursuits are on the rise in the Village.

Police say this started at a Kwik Trip in the Village of Butler on Friday, March 9. Employees recognized the suspects driving a KIA. The vehicle was known for being involved in stealing gas from that Kwik Trip, as well as other ones in the area.

Police say the driver of the stolen vehicle tried to elude police over several miles -- and then at one point, after blowing a tire, tried to pull a U-turn to escape. That is when a man driving a white pickup truck assisted in stopping the vehicle -- blocking it from proceeding.

Police pursuit ends near 92nd and Hampton

The suspects fled the car. A foot pursuit ensued, and was captured on police body camera.

Chief Wentlandt applauds the work of his officers and the assisting agencies.

"They acted with accordance with policy. They tended to the needs of the individuals that were arrested," said Chief Wentlandt.

One suspect continued to ignore police commands. He can be seen in the video, jumping a fence and heading toward an assisted living facility -- where police say he hid. FOX6 News was at the scene when the teen was caught trying to make an escape.

"Four out of five individuals that we took into custody had warrants for their arrest," said Wentlandt.

The suspects in this case range in age from 14 to 17. They are facing a combined 16 charges but could face more. Some were connected to multiple thefts and stolen vehicles in Milwaukee County.

Police pursuit ends near 92nd and Hampton

Chief Wentlandt hopes this is their wake-up call.

"The road they are potentially on, is a dangerous one," Wentlandt said.

Only one teen is not being charged by Butler police, because it was later found out they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The driver of the car the teens crashed into was not seriously injured.

The Butler police chief reminds citizens that being a good witness is help enough in situations like this.