Man Leads Police on High-Speed Chase After Copper Theft, Complaint Says

A Milwaukee man is accused of stealing copper from a Waukesha business before leading a Waukesha police officer on a high speed chase that lasted 6.8 miles on June 15.

Johnnie Landers, 64, was charged Friday in Waukesha County Circuit Court with fleeing an officer and theft. If convicted, he faces up to 2-1/4 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

A Waukesha police officer responded to a report of a man stealing copper from PMI Energy Solutions, 620 Progress Ave., and attempted to pull the suspect’s vehicle over at Highway 164 and East Main Street, the complaint states.

The vehicle did not pull over and the officer followed on the freeway, reaching speeds of 85 mph until the vehicle exited Interstate 94 at Moorland Road. The vehicle jumped the curb, struck the overpass, stopped and traveled back onto the freeway at 100 mph, according to the complaint.

The officer stopped following after the chase reached 6.8 miles because traffic was heavy.

The vehicle was owned by Landers’ girlfriend, who told police Landers was driving her vehicle on June 15. Landers was identified as the suspect through his booking shot, according to the complaint.