MILWAUKEE — Seven teenagers were arrested on Tuesday after crashing a stolen car and leading police on a chase.
The incident began around 7 p.m. near Jackson and Menomonee Streets when a security guard fired three shots into the air to stop a group of teens breaking into a vehicle, according to police.
The security guard then confronted one of the teens inside the vehicle, who pointed a gun at them.
The security guard took cover as other teens arrived and started shooting. The security guard returned fire, and the teens fled in the vehicle.
Watch: Neighbor reacts to 7 teens arrested after stealing car, leading police on chase
Clarke Moberg lives in the Third Ward. He was getting ready to go to a concert when he heard the gunfire.
"It sounded like someone was banging on a garbage can or something. I didn’t know it was shots until I saw the police," said Moberg, who told TMJ4 News it's usually a pretty quiet area.
He also told TMJ4 News police roped off E Corcoran St. toward N. Jackson St.
Police later stopped the stolen car near Water and Buffalo Streets, but the teens fled, leading police on a chase, before crashing into two vehicles at S. 13th St. and W. Lincoln Ave.
Surveillance video obtained by TMJ4 News showed some officers chasing down some of the suspects near the intersection.
The arrested teens, aged 13 to 16, were taken into custody along with several recovered firearms. No injuries were reported. The security guard was also arrested.
Watch: Surveillance video shows officers chasing down teen suspects:
Charges will be reviewed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.
"Many of these kids had prior arrests and prior convictions for taking cars without owner’s consent," said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman in an emailed press release. "Many of these kids weren’t even old enough to get a license."
That press release, called on the community to "intervene," on what he called a trend in reckless youth behavior.
"From our end, these consequences are not changing our youth’s behavior. The kids we are arresting are reoffending," Norman said. "The community must intervene."
Moberg also told TMJ4 News some of the changes he'd like to see in the city, especially with an uptick with young people involved in these types of situations.
"Less reckless behavior, guns off the street, stealing the cars, joyriding," said Moberg. "It doesn’t seem like it’s getting any better. Every day, you hear something. Like I said... really discouraging."
Norman also called on the media to focus on why crimes are committed, not just how police respond, and to explore root causes.
You can read Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman's full press release below:
Press Release August 28, 2024, Letter to the Community From Chief Jeffrey Norman by TMJ4 News on Scribd
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
