Dashcam shows carjacked vehicle crashes during pursuit, armed suspects flee on foot
By: Winthrop Harbor, WI - Newly released video captured a high-speed police pursuit of a carjacked vehicle that ended in the car crashing in Winthrop Harbor and the armed juveniles fleeing on foot.
The Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, Police Department said they were on the lookout for a vehicle involved in an armed robbery on Wednesday evening.
Officers spotted the vehicle on Sheridan Road and a high-risk stop was attempted, but the suspect vehicle fled at high speeds.
The police pursuit entered the area of Sheridan Road and Russell Road in Winthrop Harbor around 6:05 p.m.
A video captured by a bystander showed a Winthrop Harbor police officer attempting to deploy spike strips at the intersection as the chase proceeded southbound on Sheridan Road past the border into Illinois.
The driver lost control of the vehicle right after passing by the officer. Officials said the vehicle swerved to avoid the spike strips, causing it to lose control.
Fire officials said the car crashed into a tree and an electrical pole on the east side of Sheridan Road, south of Russell Road.
Power lines were brought down and ComEd was called to the scene, fire officials said.
Three ambulances responded to the scene and a police officer, who was not involved in the crash, was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
The Winthrop Harbor Police Department said they were assisting Wisconsin police agencies with the incident and there was a heavy police presence. “There is no immediate danger to the community at this time.”
The two occupants of the car immediately fled on foot after the crash into a neighborhood.
A brief foot pursuit ensued and officers from multiple agencies apprehended both suspects, police said.
Two firearms were recovered, and the vehicle was confirmed stolen. No bystanders were injured.
Pleasant Prairie Chief of Police David Smetana said the vehicle involved was stolen in a carjacking in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.
Winthrop Harbor Police Chief Tony Velardi said both suspects were juveniles, and one was charged in Illinois with aggravated resisting arrest.
Additional charges were filed by the Pleasant Prairie Police Department and Mount Pleasant Police Department.
Smetana said Pleasant Prairie charges included fleeing and eluding and obstructing on both suspects.
It was not immediately clear what charges the two are facing from Mount Pleasant police.