A source tells Wisconsin Right Now that a suspect involved in an incident at Mayfair Mall allegedly stole a Wauwatosa police squad car and led officers on a chase in it. Yes, you read that right. Wauwatosa police ended up chasing THEIR OWN SQUAD.
Three officers were evaluated for possible injury after the suspect crashed the squad and fled on foot. There are multiple ambulances at the scene, but the officers are expected to be okay.
“He jumped in the squad car and fled. They pursued it all through Brookfield,” the source said. The suspect is in custody. We’re told the suspect was wanted for an alleged domestic violence incident out of Oak Creek. Police cornered the stolen squad around 116th and North, the source said.
This is preliminary information in a developing story. We have reached out to Wauwatosa police for additional details. “We have received your message. At this time, our personnel are actively working on several aspects of this incident. Once those tasks are completed, we will compile the appropriate information for public release. A news release will be issued when that process is complete,” police wrote WRN.
At this time, there are no suspects at large related to this incident.
The USFIR X page had a similar report, writing on X, “Wauwatosa/Brookfield WI – W North Ave / Tru Ln – Suspect stole a police squad, brief pursuit, suspect crashed into another squad car, multiple injured officers with relatively minor injuries, suspect now in custody #Wauwatosa #Pursuit #USFiR.”
The Facebook page WCB Waukesha wrote, “0:14 – WB w North Ave from n 124th St – Brookfield Wauwatosa and City of Brookfield in pursuit of a stolen Wauwatosa squad car – WB North, SB Lilly, turns & dead ends, NB Lilly, EB North – 10:18 3 vehicle MVA involving stolen squad, another squad, and another vehicle @ Tru Lane – officer(s) reporting injury – taser deployed – one in custody – EMS requested for officers and suspect.”
UPDATE: Wauwatosa police released the following statement,
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, a suspect with multiple warrants led police on two vehicle pursuits, stole a marked Wauwatosa Police squad, and struck several officers, resulting in injuries to four officers.
At approximately 10:05 a.m., a Wauwatosa Police officer on patrol in the Mayfair Mall parking lot observed a 26-year-old male who had been directed by mall security to leave the property.
When the individual turned back toward the mall entrance, the officer advised him to continue leaving. The individual returned to a white minivan parked in the lot.
A license plate check revealed the vehicle had been involved in a domestic violence incident and vehicle pursuit with the Oak Creek Police Department earlier that morning, as well as separate vehicle pursuit with the Brown Deer Police Department. The individual locked himself inside the minivan and drove away. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the driver fled, initiating a vehicle pursuit. The pursuit traveled northbound on N. Mayfair Rd. to the 3100 block, where the suspect drove over the median, made a U-turn, and proceeded southbound before continuing westbound on W. North Av.
Near N. 116th St, as the suspect vehicle slowed, additional police squads contained the vehicle to prevent further flight. Officers issued commands, but the suspect refused to comply. The suspect exited the minivan and ran toward an unoccupied Wauwatosa Police squad. As officers attempted to arrest him, the suspect entered the squad. The suspect shifted the squad into reverse and accelerated, knocking several officers to the ground and striking an occupied Wauwatosa Police squad.
A second vehicle pursuit began, with the suspect now driving the stolen squad. The pursuit continued westbound on W. North Av. into the City of Brookfield. The suspect drove through side streets and residential yards before the pursuit ended when he crashed into another Wauwatosa Police squad near W. North Av. and San Fernando Dr. Following the crash, the suspect fled on foot but was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit.
The suspect did not report any injuries but was transported to a local hospital as a precaution.
Four Wauwatosa Police officers were transported to a local hospital in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect was found to have multiple felony and misdemeanor warrants through the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office, as well as a municipal warrant through the West Allis Police Department.
This incident remains under investigation. The Wauwatosa Police Department is the primary investigating agency, with assistance from the Brookfield Police Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol. The earlier domestic violence incident reported in Oak Creek and vehicle pursuit in
Brown Deer remain under review, and referrals for criminal charges in all cases are pending. No further information will be released at this time.
The Wauwatosa Police Department will conduct an internal review of the entire incident, including the circumstances that allowed the suspect to enter and take control of a police squad. The department is committed to fostering a safe and secure community through collaboration, trust, and exceptional police service, and this review will support that commitment. The department is also thankful that the incident concluded with the apprehension of a dangerous individual and that no officers or community members sustained life-threatening injuries.
The Wauwatosa Police extends its gratitude to our local partners, including the City of Brookfield Police and Fire Departments, the Elm Grove Police Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
Chief James MacGillis stated: “Today, a law-breaking and violent offender decided to flee from police, resist arrest, and take a squad car, all to prevent being held accountable for his actions. The suspect’s disregard for the safety of the community, our officers, and himself, required our officers to hold him accountable. I am proud of the officers of the Wauwatosa Police Department for their tireless dedication to public safety.”
