17-Year-Old Leads Police on High-Speed Chase Through North Shore in Stolen Acura

GLENDALE -- A 17-year-old Milwaukee resident has been charged as an adult after leading police on a high-speed chase through the North Shore and nearly striking an officer with a stolen car.

According to police, Glendale police officer came across a stolen Acura with a dealer plate attached parked in the lot of the Motel 6 on Port Washington Rd. on Dec. 29.

When the officer approached the Acura to obtain its VIN number, he observed several people that appeared to be asleep in the cabin. When he tried to get the attention of the sleeping youth inside, one of the occupants, later identified as 17-year-old Deangelo Griffin, slid into the driver seat and turned on the car, the complaint stated.

According to the complaint, Griffin manuevered the Acura into reverse, causing the officer to jump out of the way as it collided with his squad car. Griffin struck the squad car again, and two more parked cars in the lot before speeding away.

A high-speed chase resulted, as the Acura driven by Griffin reached 80 miles per hour through Glendale. Police deployed tire-piercing stop sticks, which resulted in slowing the car to 60 miles per hour as it reached Silver Spring Road from Port Washington Road, the complaint stated.

According to his criminal complaint, Griffin approached Green Bay road, he reportedly encountered heavy traffic and pulled into a parking lot on N. 20th St. near a Dollar General where he abandoned the vehicle. Officers in the three pursuing squads engaged in a foot chase, where he was quickly apprehended.

Two additional passengers were also located. Griffin, 17, has been charged with three felonies - operating a motor vehicle without the owner's concent eluding a traffic officer and second-degree recklessly endangering safety.

When officers asked why Griffin fled, he told police he had municipal warrants out against him and he did not want to get caught, according to his complaint.

If convicted, he could face up to nine-and-a-half years behind bars.

>>> image via patch.com