Full Notification

On Thursday, January 18, 2018, at approximately 5:50pm, a Middleton police officer observed a vehicle driving recklessly at a high rate of speed northbound on Branch Street from University Avenue.  The vehicle was last seen turning onto Boulder Lane off of Branch Street.

As the officer turned onto Boulder Lane, he found the vehicle had been abandoned, left in neutral, and was rolling backwards down the hill.  The vehicle came to a stop when it struck the officer’s squad car.

The vehicle was a 2007 BMW 328 that was determined to be stolen from the 6500 block of University Avenue.  The owner of the stolen vehicle had left it running to warm up shortly before the officer saw it driving recklessly. 

Through subsequent investigation, the driver of the vehicle, a 14-year old female from Fitchburg was found near the area of the crash and was taken into custody.  The 14-year old female was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent and was transported to the Dane County Juvenile Detention Center.

There were three accomplices involved, a 14-year old male from Madison, 18-year old Jaleehl M. Smith (pictured on left) from Fitchburg and 20-year old Antonio M. Ross Jr (pictured on right) from Fitchburg, who were also taken into custody.  All three males were charged with Party-to-a-Crime of Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent and Obstructing.  The 14-year old male was taken to the Dane County Juvenile Detention Center.  Smith and Ross were taken to the Dane County Jail.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the accident to the Middleton Police squad car. There were no injuries as a result of the crash.

This incident, along with numerous other recent reports of stolen vehicles in the City of Middleton and across Dane County, highlights the importance of taking a few simple steps to help ensure that you are not the next victim.

•Always lock your vehicle.
•Never leave keys or electronic fobs in your vehicle.
•Whether in your garage, driveway or a public area, never leave your car unlocked and running.
•Always keep your garage door closed.

Sergeant Jessica Quamme
Middleton Police Department
608-824-7300
Incident MI18000553

Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and the at a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.