Wisc. man pleads not guilty to chase, theft

A Kenosha man charged with leading Waukegan police on a car chase through early morning traffic in a stolen vehicle pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County circuit court.

Eric Brown, 25, is charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, theft and aggravated fleeing and eluding.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Reginald Matthews said police were called to a disturbance at the Best Western Hotel at 411 S. Greenbay Road around 5 a.m. on Oct. 8. A woman had reported someone was trying to enter her room, Matthews said, and Brown ran out of the building as police arrived.

He jumped into a Ford Mustang, ignored orders to stop and drove north on Greenbay Road until he crashed into the side of a vehicle repair shop at Greenbay and Washington Street.

Police attempted to surround the car, but Brown turned the vehicle around and drove at one of the officers attempting to arrest him.

That officer fired a shot at the Mustang, Matthews said, but Brown continued to drive until he eventually abandoned the car on Austin Drive.

He was arrested after a short search, and police discovered the car had been stolen in Florida.

Brown is held on $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 29.

Matthews said Brown faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.