Shorewood officer shoots at stolen vehicle that crashed into squads, police say

An on-duty Shorewood police officer fired shots at a stolen car that appeared to purposefully crash into two police squad vehicles early Wednesday, officials said.

No one was injured in the incident, which started when a Shorewood Community Service Officer reported a suspicious vehicle about 5 a.m. in the area of E. Pinedale Court and N. Morris Blvd., according to a Shorewood police news release.

Officers learned the vehicle was stolen and conducted a "high-risk traffic stop."

The vehicle drove at the officers, hitting both squads, and an officer fired an unspecified number of shots, according to the release.

The stolen vehicle fled and officers chased it to the area of N. Holton St. and W. Vienna Ave., where it stopped and two people ran away on foot. One was arrested and the other is still being sought, Shorewood police said.

A gun was found in the vehicle, according to the release. Officials did not say if the occupants were believed to have fired at officers during the incident.

No other information was released about the people inside the vehicle. Officials also did not say where and when the vehicle was originally reported stolen.

Milwaukee police assisted in the investigation and officers had blocked off a car near the area of N. Holton St. and W. Capitol Drive.

The Shorewood officer, a 15-year department member, was placed on administrative duty. The investigation is being handled by the Milwaukee County Investigative Team, led by the Milwaukee Police Department.

Shorewood police said the department would not release any other details until the investigation is complete. State law only requires an outside agency probe in fatal officer-involved shootings but agencies sometimes request outside investigations in high-profile cases.

A day before the shooting, Shorewood police warned residents of a series thefts from unlocked cars in the 4300 blocks of Ardmore and Alpine and the 4200 block of Olsen.

Two "suspicious vehicles," a black Jeep and green Chevrolet Monte Carlo, were seen in those areas during the time of one of the thefts. When officers tried to stop one of those vehicles, it fled and was last seen westbound on Capitol Drive at Green Bay Ave., Shorewood police said Tuesday.

Officials have not said if there is any connection between the thefts and Wednesday's incident.

Mary Spicuzza of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.