Man steals Wauwatosa police squad, leads police on 2 separate pursuits before arrest

Updated: Feb. 4, 2026

BROOKFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The police department says all four officers hurt in the incident were evaluated and released Tuesday.

The suspect is expected to be charged later this week. 

Posted: Feb. 3, 2026

BROOKFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Four Wauwatosa Police Department officers are hurt after a suspect led officers on two vehicle pursuits, stole a marked squad vehicle, and struck several officers. 

The incident started just after 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Police say a Wauwatosa officer on patrol in the Mayfair Mall parking lot observed a 26-year-old man who had been directed by mall security to leave the property. 

According to police, the man entered a white minivan parked in the lot and a license plate check revealed the vehicle had been involved in a domestic violence incident and pursuit with the Oak Creek Police Department earlier in the day, as well as a separate pursuit with the Brown Deer Police Department. 

Officials say the man then locked himself in the minivan and drove off. After failing to stop for a traffic stop, a pursuit with police ensued. The suspect traveled northbound on Mayfair Road and made a U-turn over a median in an attempt to elude police. Officers contained the minivan, preventing the suspect from fleeing more near 116th Street. That's when, police say, the suspect got out of the minivan and got into a marked, unoccupied Wauwatosa squad. 

The suspect reportedly backed up the squad, knocked several officers to the ground, and struck another occupied squad before fleeing. 

A second pursuit started and continued westbound on North Avenue into Brookfield. 

Authorities say the suspect drove through side streets and residential yards before crashing into another Wauwatosa police squad near North Avenue and San Fernando Drive. The suspect attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit. 

Four Wauwatosa police officers were transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. 

The suspect, police say, was found to have multiple felony and misdemeanor warrants through Waukesha County, as well as a warrant through the West Allis Police Department. 

The Wauwatosa Police Department is the lead investigating agency.