16-year-old in custody, vehicle recovered in Milwaukee after break-in at Sturtevant dealership
RACINE COUNTY -- It has happened again. Police are investigating another break-in at a car dealership in Racine County. This latest break-in occurred at the Racine Hyundai dealership located on Washington Avenue in the Village of Sturtevant on Wednesday morning, July 13th.
On Wednesday evening, police said a 16-year-old boy is in custody in connection with this crime. One of two vehicles stolen from the dealership -- a 2017 Hyundai Elantra, was recovered near 64th and Keefe in Milwaukee.
On Wednesday night, police said four teenagers, two 17-year-old boys and two females, ages 15 and 16 were taken into custody after bailing from a vehicle stolen from the dealership in Sturtevant.
That vehicle was left in "drive" after the teens fled, and a Milwaukee police officer was dragged by that vehicle after losing his balance while attempting to stop it.
The 51-year-old officer received several injuries from the incident. He was taken to a hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
Officials say suspects smashed the windows of the dealership around 2:00 a.m. and stole, by driving through the windows, a 2016 Hyundai Accent, a four-door hatchback and a 2017 Hyundai Elantra, a sedan -- from the showroom floor.
"It`s a problem -- and it`s a problem for all the dealerships," Eric Greskoviak, GM of Racine Honda, located next door to Racine Hyundai said. "We leave the lights on and remove the keys from the showroom floor cars."
Mount Pleasant police say the break-in was discovered after an officer spotted two vehicles that appeared to be drag racing on westbound Highway 20 towards I-94.
A Mount Pleasant police unit pulled out behind the vehicles and attempted to stop the them, quickly observing that the vehicles had no license plates, but a blue/white dealer-type plate on the rear.
Police say after the officer activated his emergency lights and siren, the vehicles fled -- leading them on a pursuit.
Mount Pleasant units were assisted by officials with the Racine County Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin State Patrol during the pursuit.
Due to the high rate of speed and reckless nature, officers terminated the pursuit when the vehicles reached the Racine/Milwaukee County line.
Break-in at Racine Hyundai
"The traffic was sufficient as to create more risk to the public than to apprehend the burglars, which we didn`t know were burglars at that particular minute," Captain Tom Petersen with the Mount Pleasant Police Department said.
Following termination of the pursuit, officers in the area checked the various car dealerships to determine where the vehicles were stolen from. It was later discovered that the vehicles were stolen from the Racine Hyundai dealership.
Police continue to look for the 2016 Hyundai Accent.
2016 Hyundai hatchback
2017 Hyundai sedan
This is the fourth car dealership break-in to occur along Highway 20 since July 4th. Ford, Dodge and Toyota dealerships have all fallen victim:
Police believe there's a connection here -- given the similarities in these cases.
"Whether it`s three or four people only, or if there are more people involved, it depends on what time of night it is, who`s coming down here, we don`t know that just yet," Petersen said.
As police investigate, those like Greskoviak at Racine Honda are trying to take precautions like locking up their keys in an effort to prevent these kinds of crimes.
"It was in Milwaukee, now it`s in Racine. It could go to Kenosha. Who knows where they`re headed next," Greskoviak said.
Anyone with information on this latest dealership break-in in Racine County is urged to contact the Sturtevant Police Department at 262-886-7208.
You can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888-636-9330 or text RACS to 274637 (crimes).