Vehicle smashes into Walker's Point wine bar, driver flees scene

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee police are investigating after a car crashed into a business causing extensive damage.

The crash happened Saturday, Oct. 21 just after 2 a.m., near 6th and Virginia Streets in Walker's Point -- at Thelma Carol Wine Merchants.

Owners Rebecca Button and Jerel Hall received an alert from their security system early Saturday.

When they arrived at their shop, they found destruction from a car that had driven through the window.

"Wine all over the floor. Car oil all over the floor. Probably a 75-80 lb. limestone block had catapulted across the store," Button said.

Security footage shows the crash and the people responsible.

After the car enters the building, footage shows a group of men enter on foot and pull the driver from the vehicle. 

A passenger is also seen leaving the car, before everyone leaves the scene.

"They had completely abandoned the car," Button said.

As of Monday, Milwaukee police haven't made an arrest.

Button said the driver may have lost control in a roundabout outside the shop. The driver appears disoriented in security video.

"This roundabout is quite dangerous. People don't pay attention; they drive too fast," Button said.

The owners don't know the total price tag of damage but lost at least 100 bottles of wine.

"All of our Italian wine is mostly gone, including some irreplaceable bottles that we can't find anymore," Button said.

Family and friends have been helping with cleanup and inventory.

"We got some really good news from our insurance company, so we're feeling happy about that," Button said.

They're strengthened by support from the community over social media.

"The outpouring of love, from not just Walker's Point but Milwaukee as a whole, has been unbelievably incredible and we're so, so thankful for it," Button said.

As cleanup continues, hey hope to reopen Thelma Carol Wine Merchants in the next few weeks, at least for bottle pick-up.