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What began as an investigation into a retail theft quickly escalated into a high-speed police pursuit spanning two states before ending in a violent crash. On October 11th, 2025, Pleasant Prairie police attempted to stop a Jeep near the Illinois state line after receiving a Flock camera alert. According to investigators, the same vehicle had been involved in a pursuit just 2 days earlier after officers attempted to stop it in connection with the theft of cigarettes from a QuickTrip. When officers activated their emergency lights, the driver refused to stop and accelerated away reaching speeds of nearly 100 mph on Sheridan Road. The initial pursuit continued into Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, but officers terminated the chase after losing sight of the vehicle. >> All right. >> That's our address. >> All right, we have 31 China. I turned the lights off. Short time here, what's up? >> Negative, I have no idea where he's at. >> 10-9 and update. All right, short time. >> A short time later, officers spotted the Jeep again traveling northbound on Sheridan Road and initiated a second pursuit. >> Heading northbound? Uh speed's 100. He's driving northbound uh 97. He's going to be going up to 91st Street. We're going to be going up to 91st Street. >> Spike strips were successfully deployed, puncturing several of the Jeep's tires. >> All right, lost visual of the black Ford truck. Northbound uh 97. Northbound Sheridan >> Despite the damaged tires, the driver continued fleeing before losing control near Sheridan Road and 80th Street. The Jeep struck two civilian vehicles, including one carrying students on their way to a homecoming dance. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported among the occupants of the other vehicles. >> I got a white Volvo down. I need both directions right away. I'm going north of the crash. I'm going north of the crash. Hurry. South of the crash. Block it off. Got it. I'm going north of the crash. I'm going north of the crash. Hurry. South of the crash. Block it off. Got it. >> Get in there coming. Rescue is going also. >> The driver, identified as 39-year-old Gil Melendez, was not wearing a seatbelt and was knocked unconscious in the crash. He was airlifted by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital, where his injuries were later determined to be non-life threatening. Due to the graphic nature of the accident, body cam footage was not released to the public. A female passenger suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. During a search of the Jeep, officers recovered approximately 4.2 g of cocaine along with drug paraphernalia. Investigators also learned that Melendez was on parole through Kenosha County for a previous burglary conviction and had an active Wisconsin Department of Corrections warrant for a parole violation at the time of the pursuit. Court records show that Melendez later pleaded guilty to retail theft and two counts of felony fleeing and eluding an officer. The cocaine possession and drug paraphernalia charges were dismissed but read in for sentencing. Seven counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety were dismissed earlier in the case. Sentencing is scheduled for mid-August. Make sure to check back. We'll make sure to post the court outcome in the comments. Thanks for watching and remember to hit like, subscribe, and turn on all notifications so you never miss a new upload. And don't forget to check out our membership page to show your support and help us to continue bringing you cases from all around Wisconsin. >> [music]

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