MILWAUKEE, Wisc. — This was not a typical police pursuit.
A Chevy Tahoe towing a trailer loaded with four stolen golf carts, led police on a high-speed chase through the streets and alleys of Glendale and Milwaukee.
It happened last summer, and it has resulted in a West Allis man being charged with four felonies: theft, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, fleeing an officer causing damage to property, and bail jumping.
John Jessup, 58, was charged April 6 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, five days after he was arrested at his West Allis home.
According to the criminal complaint:
At about 12:20 a.m. July 8, 2021, a Glendale police officer was on routine patrol when he noticed a Chevrolet Tahoe with a trailer on the footpath just south of Lincoln Park Golf Course clubhouse, 1000 W. Hampton Ave.
The officer saw a middle-aged, white male in the driver’s seat of the SUV and four golf carts in the trailer. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.
Based on recent instances of golf carts being stolen from golf courses, the officer thought the man was stealing the golf carts.
As the officer approached the vehicle in his squad, the Tahoe — with trailer and golf carts in tow — started driving off the footpath into the parking lot.
It then turned east onto West Hampton Avenue without its lights on.
The officer activated the squad’s emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the Tahoe, but the vehicle instead accelerated, turning south onto Interstate 43.
The Tahoe exited at North Green Bay Avenue, disregarded the red light, and turned southbound. It then turned west onto West Capitol Drive.
The chase continued, ultimately covering 8.8 miles over more than 30 streets or alleys, and reaching speeds in excess of 70 mph.
At two points during the pursuit, Jessup stopped his vehicle, got out and appeared to head toward the trailer hitch, but got back in his vehicle as squads approached, according to the criminal complaint.
Officers also tried to deploy stop sticks to slow or stop the vehicle, but were unsuccessful.
Jessup slowed but did not stop for numerous red lights and stop signs during the chase; for a time he drove the wrong way on West Roosevelt Drive.
The chase ended near West Fond du Lac Avenue and West Locust Street when police lost sight of the vehicle.
Authorities started searching the area and found the trailer, with the four golf carts still on it, at West Hadley and North 32nd streets, at 12:35 a.m.
The golf carts were determined to have been taken from the Lincoln Park Golf Course, which is run by Milwaukee County Parks.
Jessup’s arrest would not come for another nine months.
Detectives swabbed the trailer crank handle for DNA and submitted swabs to the Wisconsin State Crime Lab for analysis.
A report from the crime lab, received in December 2021, indicated DNA found on the trailer crank handle matched Jessup.
His photo also matched that of the person captured in a Lincoln Park Golf Course surveillance video.
Jessup also had an active warrant for violation of probation.
He was arrested on April 1 by Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department deputies as he exited his home.
If convicted of all charges, Jessup could face up to 32 years in prison and revocation of driving privileges.
Jessup is being held on a $10,000 signature bond, according to online court records.
He will be represented by a public defender, but one has not yet been assigned.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 17.
Contact Bob Dohr at 262-361-9140 or bob.dohr@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BobDohr1.
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