Body cam video shows Brookfield police chase, charges filed
BROOKFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Newly released body cam video shows Brookfield police responding to a retail theft Friday, Feb. 6, that led to a pursuit lasting six miles.
According to the criminal complaint, 30-year-old Elenzo Harvester Jr. stole four laptops from the Town of Brookfield Best Buy.
Responding officers located and followed the suspect vehicle until it pulled into a parking spot in a lot on Bluemound Road. Then, the driver of the vehicle backed up, hit a squad car and got out of the vehicle. As police detained the driver, they say Harvester jumped into the driver's seat and sped off after hitting several cars, including two squads.
Officers pursued Harvester eastbound on Bluemound Road, southbound on Moorland Road, then eastbound on I-94, and performed five pit maneuvers from both sides to try to get Harvester to stop the car.
The pursuit ended near I-94 and Highway 100 when an officer hit the car for a sixth time. That's when Harvester got out of the vehicle, jumped about 5-10 feet off of a concrete barrier, according to the complaint, and ran from the scene.
Officers found him hiding in the back of a tree service truck, where he was arrested.
Prosecutors say one of the officers involved in the pursuit was treated at an area hospital after Harvester "intentionally steered his vehicle" toward the officer's squad during a pit maneuver, causing it to leave the road and hit a tree.
The complaint says the vehicle taken by Harvester belonged to a friend, who said he didn't know Harvester was stealing inside the store and asked police to prosecute him for taking his vehicle.
Harvester faces the following charges:
- Felony retail theft
- Vehicle operator flee/elude officer resulting in bodily harm, repeater (two counts)
- Hit and run - injury, repeater (two counts)
- First degree recklessly endangering safety, repeater (two counts)
- Operating a motor vehicle without owner's consent, repeater
Court records show cash bond was set at $125,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 16.