Port Police Chief Touts Recent Department Arrests

On Saturday morning at about 4:30 A.M., Officers Jason Bergin and Jerry Nye observed a vehicle operating with only its fog lights on South Spring Street in our city.  After catching up with the vehicle, and observing signs of weaving as well, the officers followed it into an apartment building lot. 

The driver quickly pulled into a spot, and tried walking away from the vehicle, ignoring the officers’ instructions to stop.  The driver, a twenty-one year old male from Port Washington, was quickly apprehended and found to be intoxicated and driving without a license. 

But officers were still suspicious, as the vehicle listed to a completely different name out of Kewaskum.  The owner of the vehicle was contacted and was surprised to find out that the vehicle had been stolen from his driveway. 

The driver was taken out to the Ozaukee County Jail on a charge of operating a vehicle without owner’s consent, as well as receiving citations for operating while intoxicated and operating without a license.  The owner of the stolen vehicle was able to reclaim his property that morning. 

On Saturday afternoon, Officer Jim Russell observed a motorcycle that appeared to be having mechanical problems in the parking lot of one of our local gas stations. 

Originally intending to assist the operator, Officer Russell quickly discovered with a license plate check that the owner had an arrest warrant through Milwaukee County for battery. 

Officer Russell confirmed that the operator was indeed the wanted subject, and also discovered that his driving status was suspended.  The operator, a 43 year old man from Milwaukee, was arrested and taken to the Ozaukee County Jail.

"I believe these are excellent examples of good, solid, proactive police work by Officers Russell, Bergin, and Nye.  Simply being observant, and by being willing to act on their observations, these officers made two very high quality arrests for serious matters.

"Aside from the fact that these two drivers had no business operating a motor vehicle, the arrest of a fugitive battery suspect and the recovery of a stolen vehicle was excellent police work.  It is always a good feeling for us in law enforcement when we can recover someone’s stolen property before the owner even knows it’s gone."