15-year-old arrested in Milwaukee after carjacking victim dragged by speeding vehicle in Racine

MILWAUKEE -- Officials with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office said a 15-year-old boy, not even old enough to have a valid license, was arrested Tuesday, Jan. 23, accused of leading deputies on a wild chase from Racine to Milwaukee after a carjacking!

Sheriff's officials said Racine police were investigating a carjacking where the offender dragged the owner with the car as he sped away.

At about 1:20 p.m., Oak Creek police saw the vehicle, which was involved in a crash but drove away at recklessly high speeds. A pursuit was terminated.

A Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputy in an unmarked squad spotted the vehicle on the freeway at about 1:35 p.m. on northbound I-43 near Rosedale. He followed until additional squads were set up to back him up. The suspect vehicle exited the freeway at McKinley Ave., and a traffic stop was attempted, but the suspect vehicle failed to stop and continued to elude officers.

The 15-year-old evaded officers on Lincoln Memorial Dr., Downer Ave., Locust St. -- and crashed into a light pole at Lafayette and Summit. He then fled on foot and was apprehended by a pursuing deputy’s K-9.

Andy Featherly checked out what was left of the light pole outside his condo Wednesday.

"I'm right there. Literally right there. It's 10 feet from my door. Just noticed it and heard about the high-speed chase," Featherly said.

Kevin Rasmussen caught the end of the pursuit.

"I opened my window and saw a bunch of cops. They had the street closed down. Saw them taking a person to a cop car over there. Right here. Pretty crazy!" Rasmussen said.

During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle sideswiped another car, but no injuries were reported.

Deputies detained a 15-year-old boy and will be charging him with fleeing and eluding, operating auto without owner’s consent, and citations for operating without a valid license, and reckless driving/endangering safety. He had two outstanding warrants – one for vehicle theft and another for burglary.

"15 years old and he got all the way from Racine..." Featherly said.

"Pretty bold for a 15-year-old, especially coming all the way up here. It's a long chase," Rasmussen said.

Sheriff's officials said in their release if convicted on the two felony charges, he faces up to seven years’ incarceration.