Bungled Car Dealership Burglary Leads To 2-County Pursuit: Police

RACINE COUNTY, WI — A bungled car burglary at a Racine County auto dealership led to one arrest, the recovery of an abandoned vehicle and a search for two suspects in Milwaukee County.

On Friday, April 20 at 03:30 a.m., Mount Pleasant Police were dispatched to the Hyundai Dealership at 13313 Washington Ave. after two cleaning crew employees working that night called police and said that two suspects broke into the building, and were likely in the showroom. The two employees then hid in the back and waited for police to arrive.

As Officers arrived on scene some of the burglars got into a getaway vehicle, a Dodge minivan. The minivan took off with Officers in pursuit.

At the same time the getaway driver was leaving, Racine County Sheriff Deputies were able to take the last suspect into custody.

That man was identified as Tiwontay A. Versey-James of Milwaukee. Police said he was arrested on suspicion of possession of burglarious tools, operating a stolen vehicle and probation violations. Police said Versey-James has an extensive history of burglary and stealing cars.

Police said Versey-James was arrested and released for injuries when the getaway van pushed him into a vehicle he was attempting to steal. He was arrested and transported to the Mount Pleasant Police Department for Interviews and later were transported to the Racine County Jail.

Police said he had a set of keys from dealership and was attempting to steal a vehicle. Police also managed to find a screwdriver on him at the time of his arrest.

The pursuit took Officers west onto Highway 20 for a short time, when the driver of the suspect's vehicle turned back east on Highway 20, then fled on I-94 toward Milwaukee.

Officers then terminated the pursuit at I-94 and Drexel Ave. Wisconsin State Patrol and Racine County Sherriff assisted with the Pursuit.

Oak Creek Police, Milwaukee County Sheriff and Milwaukee Police assisted in locating the vehicle that was abandoned near W. Howard Ave and S. 2nd in the City of Milwaukee.

The vehicle was later reported stolen earlier in the evening near Marquette University.

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