West allis police are now using a special set of stop sticks -- to prevent drivers from taking off from traffic stops.As officers walk up to a vehicle during a traffic stop, they both slide stop sticks in front of each rear tire. They pulled over Ricardo Lewis, the driver, for no front license plate and a missing headlight, a criminal complaint states.A few minutes later, video obtained by 12 News Investigates shows the driver trying to drive away, but the stop sticks pop both of his rear tires. He turns a corner a block away, gets out, and runs, video shows. He was later found by a West Allis K9 and arrested near South 62 Street and West Washington Street.The new stop sticks, implemented by West Allis police officers in early August, are designed to quickly deflate tires to shorten chases, West Allis police said. Traditional stop sticks slowly deflate tires."This stop stick is only used on stopped vehicles and will cause the tire to deflate quickly and shorten the length of any pursuit," Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher said.Police arrested Ricardo Lee Lewis after the short pursuit on Aug. 24. A police report states he was in possession of a stolen gun, and police also found more than 500 grams of marijuana. He pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle to flee or in an attempt to flee an officer, carrying a concealed weapon and bail jumping, court records show. A judge sentenced him to work release for his guilty plea. His lawyer did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Fletcher said officers decide to use the stop sticks based on the information they have at the time of the stop. In this case, he says the non-registered vehicle, dark tint and driver who appeared to have prior offenses would cause them to preemptively use the stop sticks."This is for the safety of everybody, as a vehicle with deflated tires is likely to be involved in a shorter pursuit," Fletcher said.Wisconsin State Department of Transportation told 12 News Investigates Lewis has never had a driver's license and at one point had an instruction permit. His non-existent license became suspended in 2022 for failing to pay a traffic ticket, municipal court records show. He's another alleged offender who appears to be driving in a flaw in the law uncovered by 12 News Investigates.
West allis police are now using a special set of stop sticks -- to prevent drivers from taking off from traffic stops.
As officers walk up to a vehicle during a traffic stop, they both slide stop sticks in front of each rear tire. They pulled over Ricardo Lewis, the driver, for no front license plate and a missing headlight, a criminal complaint states.
A few minutes later, video obtained by 12 News Investigates shows the driver trying to drive away, but the stop sticks pop both of his rear tires. He turns a corner a block away, gets out, and runs, video shows. He was later found by a West Allis K9 and arrested near South 62 Street and West Washington Street.
The new stop sticks, implemented by West Allis police officers in early August, are designed to quickly deflate tires to shorten chases, West Allis police said. Traditional stop sticks slowly deflate tires.
"This stop stick is only used on stopped vehicles and will cause the tire to deflate quickly and shorten the length of any pursuit," Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher said.
Police arrested Ricardo Lee Lewis after the short pursuit on Aug. 24. A police report states he was in possession of a stolen gun, and police also found more than 500 grams of marijuana. He pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle to flee or in an attempt to flee an officer, carrying a concealed weapon and bail jumping, court records show. A judge sentenced him to work release for his guilty plea. His lawyer did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Fletcher said officers decide to use the stop sticks based on the information they have at the time of the stop. In this case, he says the non-registered vehicle, dark tint and driver who appeared to have prior offenses would cause them to preemptively use the stop sticks.
"This is for the safety of everybody, as a vehicle with deflated tires is likely to be involved in a shorter pursuit," Fletcher said.
Wisconsin State Department of Transportation told 12 News Investigates Lewis has never had a driver's license and at one point had an instruction permit. His non-existent license became suspended in 2022 for failing to pay a traffic ticket, municipal court records show. He's another alleged offender who appears to be driving in a flaw in the law uncovered by 12 News Investigates.