Attentive Uber Driver Helps MPD Solve Stolen Car Case

An alert Uber driver and some good police work helped Milwaukee Police officers solve two car thefts and led to the arrest of a suspect. Around 4:50 PM on November 11, the suspect and victim met in a parking lot in the 3100 block of S. 76th Street to discuss the sale of a vehicle. The victim, a 59-year-old man, and the suspect took the 2006 Volvo for a test drive but when they returned the suspect stole the car from the victim and fled the scene.

A few minutes later the victim received a call from an Uber driver. The driver said she had just picked up the suspect in the 1300 block of N. 37th Street but he had inadvertently given her the victim’s phone number.

Using the name of the suspect from the Uber driver, MPD District Six officers investigated further and identified the suspect and learned he lived in the 1300 block of N. 36th Street. The victim positively identified the suspect as well.

The stolen Volvo was found on November 12 a block from the suspect’s home. The suspect, a 20-year-old Milwaukee man, was taken into custody on November 17 when he met with his probation agent.

At the time of his arrest, the suspect had the victim’s stolen Volvo key fob and a key fob from a stolen BMW in his possession. The BMW was taken on November 14 in the 3700 block of N. 37th Street.