3 Stolen Cars, 1 Police Chase and At Least 14 Theft Cases in 1 Week

WAUWATOSA -- A 34-year-old Milwaukee man faces up to six-and-a-half years behind bars after a crime spree that involved three stolen cars, a police chase and numerous theft charges.

Police say that the defendant, Antonio Jenkins Gates conducted his crime spree in Wauwatosa, Shorewood and Bayside in a little over a week in early 2016.

According to his criminal complaint:

On January 29 the defendant stole $35 worth of vodka from Walgreens at 10800 West Capitol Drive in Wauwatosa and fled the scene in a gold minivan.

On January 31, the defendant stole $144 worth of cigarettes from Walgreens at 6600 West State Street, in Wauwatosa and fled the scene in a stolen blue minivan, going 90 mph through mid-day traffic.

On Feb. 1, the defendant stole $81 worth of cigarettes from Meijer’s at 11111 West Burleigh Street, in Wauwatosa, and fled the scene in a stolen blue minivan at a high rate of speed. When fleeing with the stolen merchandise, defendant endangered a police officer (who was also a “traffic officer”) who was trying to get him out of the stolen vehicle and arrest him – nearly running over that officer in the process of speeding away.

On Feb. 3, the defendant stole $223 worth of cigarettes, etc. from Walgreens 10800 at West Capitol Drive, in Wauwatosa, and struggled with the store manager before getting away.

READ-IN CHARGES:

Defendant has agreed to have the following 13 charges read-in for sentencing, knowing that after they are read-in these charges can never be filed against him:

1. Driving away in a stolen gold 2002 Chrysler mini-van (taken in Milwaukee earlier that same morning) on January 29.

2. Stole $166 of cigarettes from 6600 W. State Street Walgreens on January 29.

3. Drove away from that the scene on State St. in a stolen gold 2002 Chrysler mini-van (taken in Milwaukee earlier that same morning)

4. Operating a motor vehicle without owner's consent and Felony Fleeing (14 blocks, .9 mile, 90 mph aborted chase) for driving away from 6600 W. State Street Walgreens in a stolen blue 2002 Chrysler mini-van (taken in Milwaukee)

5. Feb. 1 for the same driving as in count 4 – in a stolen blue 2002 Chrysler mini-van (taken in Milwaukee)

6. Feb. 3 charges for driving away from 10800 Capitol Drive Walgreens in stolen tan 2002 Dodge Stratus (taken in Milwaukee that morning)

7. January 30 and 31 for two retail thefts from two Shorewood Mobil stations and also obstructing (false name) and Drug Para charges, same incident.

8. February 3 retail theft charge for $60 for cigarettes at 340 W. Brown Deer Road Sendik’s (Bayside).

9. February 3 charge for driving away from Bayside Sendik's in stolen tan 2002 Dodge Stratus.

image: milwaukee county jail