Alert Uber driver helps Milwaukee police make arrest in connection to 2 car thefts

MILWAUKEE -- Thanks to an alert Uber driver, Milwaukee police were able to solve two car thefts and arrested a 20-year-old suspect in connection.

According to Milwaukee police, shortly before 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 11th, the suspect and victim met in a parking lot near 76th and Oklahoma Avenue to discuss the sale of a vehicle.

The victim, a 59-year-old man, and the suspect took the 2006 Volvo for a test drive but when they returned, police say the suspect stole the car from the man and fled the scene.

Officials say a few minutes later the victim received a call from an Uber driver. The driver stated she had just picked up the suspect near 37th and McKinley, but he had inadvertently given the driver the suspect's phone number.

Police say using the name of the suspect from the Uber driver, officials were able to investigate further and identify the suspect and found where he lives.

Officials say the 59-year-old man's stolen vehicle was located on November 12th a block from the suspect's home. The suspect, a 20-year-old Milwaukee man, was taken into custody on November 17th when he met with his probation agent.

At the time of his arrest, police say the suspect had the stolen Volvo key fob and a key fob from a stolen BMW in his possession. The BMW was taken on November 14th near 37th and Nash.

Milwaukee police will present the case to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office in the coming days.