Suspect who allegedly hurt officers, led them on chase, appears in court

WAUKESHA COUNTY (CBS 58) -- A man who led Waukesha Police on a 65-mile chase that injured two officers appeared in Waukesha County Court.

Thomas Chadwick, 35, of Milwaukee is charged with two counts of first degree recklessly endangering safety, also resisting an officer and obstructing an officer.

On Dec. 11, police were called to the Kohl’s department store in Waukesha for a wanted suspect. According to the criminal complaint, Chadwick went there to steal clothes. When officers arrived, they asked him to get out of the car, but he refused.

“The defendant admitted that he made extreme attempts to flee law enforcement cause he knew he had a warrant for his arrest, officers made contact with the defendant as he was seated in the passenger seat of the vehicle. He lied about his name.” said the prosecutor.

Chadwick allegedly began fighting with the officers. He then threw the car in reverse.

“The open driver’s door clipped both officers as the car drove backwards at a high rate of speed. The vehicle ran over the arm and leg of one of the officer injuring him,” added the prosecutor.

Chadwick then led police on a chase through about ten communities before being arrested in Milwaukee.

According to prosecutors, he was high on crack cocaine at the time of the incident.

Because of Chadwick’s past criminal history, and the more than dozen times he’s failed to appear in court, the judge set his bail at $30,000 cash.