Gunfire leads to police chase in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa

By Ashley Luthern of the Journal Sentinel

The sound of gunfire early Wednesday led to a chase that began in Milwaukee and ended in Wauwatosa, police said.

Milwaukee police officers patrolling the area of N. 45 and W. Center streets heard gunshots shortly after 1 a.m. and spotted a minivan driving from the direction of the sound as the officers searched for potential victims and suspects, according to a news release.

The officers tried to pull over the van, but the driver fled and officers chased the van down city streets, onto the freeway and back onto city streets, traveling into Wauwatosa.

The driver stopped near N. 106 St. and W. Wisconsin Ave. and six people, including the driver, fled on foot, police said.

Milwaukee police officers searched for the suspects with help from Wauwatosa officers and Milwaukee County sheriff's deputies. Officers with the three agencies were able to find and arrest five of the six suspects — three 17-year-old boys and two 16-year-old boys.

Investigators say it's believed that one or more occupants in the van exchanged gunfire with a suspect who was outside the vehicle during a dispute.

Milwaukee police were still searching for the sixth suspect as of Wednesday afternoon.