Dashcam video released after 14-year-old crashes stolen car after police chase

GLENDALE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- On Tuesday, Aug. 24, Glendale police released dashcam video of a 14-year-old reckless driver who stole a car from a dealership Aug. 18 and led police on a chase before crashing. The stolen Kia eventually skidded out of control and crashed, knocking over a light pole.

A community activist and a car dealership manager both say car thefts and reckless driving are a growing problem, and there doesn't seem to be a solution yet.

The video shows the moments the 14-year-old suspect evaded police at the intersection of Green Bay Ave. and Florist Ave., then took off driving southbound.

The car had been stolen from a nearby dealership. A manager did not want to go on camera, but said it's a growing problem as teens break into the cars, drop the steering column and use needle-nose pliers to turn the ignition. He said it can all happen in less than one minute.

The driver swerved in and out of traffic, at one point seeming to fishtail out of control, as several Glendale police officers followed in pursuit. Several blocks later the driver lost control, spun out, and crashed across a turn lane near the intersection of Green Bay and Capitol.

Community activist Tracey Dent says action is needed now, adding people are dying as a result of reckless driving. He says the teens just don't understand how dangerous it can be. "This is serious. This is not a game. This is not a game. People are afraid to drive in the city of Milwaukee. It's chaos here."

Dent says fines are small, the teens are rarely punished and they're often released within hours. He's created a citizen petition to show the city and court system there is a groundswell of support for increasing penalties for reckless driving. "We're giving these criminals a pass, saying it's okay to go do what you do because we don't want you to go to jail. We don't want you to get more fines. So they take that and run with it and abuse it."

Glendale police did not grant requests for an interview.

The 14-year-old driver was the only person in the car. He was arrested, treated for minor injuries, and released.

A 13-year-old boy was also arrested back at the dealership.