Milwaukee police pursuit, drugs and gun recovered; man charged

Gregory Kline

A Milwaukee man has been charged with several felonies including recklessly endangering safety and felony bail jumping after prosecutors say he led police on a high-speed chase before crashing into a tree.

38-year-old Gregory Kline has been charged with the following from the Jan. 21 pursuit:

  • 2nd-Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety
  • Operating a Motor Vehicle to Flee/Attempt to Elude an Officer
  • Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
  • Possession of THC (2nd+ Offense)
  • Felony Bail Jumping (2 Counts)
  • Resisting or Obstructing an Officer

Incident details

What we know:

According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 21 at about 9:13 p.m., two Milwaukee Police officers saw a white Pontiac Vibe traveling west on Capitol Drive near Sherman at a high rate of speed.

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While the officers tried to catch up to the Pontiac, it accelerated to speeds in excess of 60 mph, which is twice the posted speed limit. It unsafely switched lanes several times, almost striking other motorists. The Pontiac continued west on Capitol and ran a red light.

The complaint goes on to say that officers activated their squad lights and siren, but the vehicle did not pull over but instead sped up. During the pursuit, the vehicle ran two stop signs, almost struck another occupied vehicle, and continued to travel at a high rate of speed.

The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed into a tree near 43rd and Congress.

The damaged vehicle following the crash.

The driver, identified as the defendant, Gregory Kline, got out of the vehicle and fled on foot, but was ultimately taken into custody, per the complaint.

Officers searched Kline and found a green plant material believed to be marijuana in his left pocket, totaling 5.7 grams. It later tested positive for THC.

Officers also looked in the vehicle and found a semi-automatic handgun lying on the front passenger floorboard. They also recovered six cartridges marked "PMC 45 AUTO."

Bond conditions

What we know:

Kline was out on bond in two other cases and released from custody, under the conditions that he does not possess a firearm and not commit any crimes.

Court proceedings

What's next:

Cash bond was set at $7,000. Kline was in court for a preliminary hearing on Monday, Feb. 3, where he pleaded not guilty.

Kline is bound over for trial and a bail/bond hearing is scheduled for Feb. 12.

The Source: The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office provided FOX6 with the criminal complaint.

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