Milwaukee police chase ends in Kenosha; suspected illegal drugs recovered
MILWAUKEE - Several law enforcement agencies were involved in a police chase that extended from Milwaukee, down I-41/94 and into Kenosha County on Monday, Nov. 20.
Officials say shortly after 5 p.m., officers spotted the driver of a vehicle dealing drugs at a gas station near 34th and W. Park Hill Avenue. The officers attempted a traffic stop but the driver refused to pull over – and a police chase ensued.
Milwaukee police asked for help from the Racine County Sheriff's Office as the driver was traveling south on I-94 into Racine County. Racine officials identified the man as 46-year-old Charles Lewis.
Charles Lewis
A Racine County sheriff's deputy positioned himself with Stop Sticks behind the center wall of I-94 ahead of the pursuit. When the suspect vehicle approached his location, the deputy successfully deployed the Stop Sticks and the tires began to deflate. A second deputy was also able to successfully deploy Stop Sticks, however Lewis continued to flee. The speed of his vehicle decreased to approximately 45 mph.
When the pursuit crossed over into Kenosha County, the Pleasant Prairie Police Department took over as the primary units. Racine County sheriff’s deputies, the Milwaukee Police Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol continued in the pursuit as secondary units.
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The Pleasant Prairie Police Department used multiple units to box in the suspect vehicle and forced it to stop. Law enforcement officers from multiple jurisdictions, including a Sheriff’s K-9 team, worked together to safely take Lewis into custody and clear the vehicle to ensure there were no additional suspects.
Officers searched the vehicle and located a small amount of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. The officers suspected Lewis destroyed additional drugs because they located multiple baggies that appeared to have been bitten off. Officials say Lewis initially gave the officers a fake name, but he was positively identified through a previous booking photograph and multiple tattoos. Lewis’ criminal record includes convictions for Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Deliver and Felony Bail Jumping.
The Milwaukee Police Department transported Lewis back to Milwaukee on the drug dealing charges and other offenses.
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The Racine County Sheriff’s Office and the Pleasant Prairie Police Department will forward charges to their respective District Attorney’s Offices for offenses that occurred in their jurisdictions.
"Drug dealers should know that law enforcement agencies across the country stand ready to take them down," said Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling in a news release.
Criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.