Milwaukee police chase stolen Jeep; Three men were charged in this case

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Gabriel Simmons; Everett Hawpetoss Jr.; Dreymar Burks

MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee man is accused of stealing a Jeep at gunpoint last week under the guise of filming a music video, and two other men are accused of leading police on a chase in a stolen SUV the next day.

Prosecutors charged 19-year-old Gabriel Simmons with armed robbery in connection with a car theft. Two other 19-year-olds – Everett Hawpetoss Jr. and Dreymar Burks – charged in a separate case related to the pursuit.

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Armed robbery | Tuesday, September 24

The criminal complaint says the victim told police he was kidnapped near 52nd and Meinecke streets. He said that “Cartier Gabe” – whom he knew through a friend – messaged him on Instagram and asked if he wanted to be in the music video. The victim said he had asked Cartier Gabe in the past if he could be in a music video, so the request wasn’t out of the ordinary.

The victim said he drove to meet Cartier Gabe near 53rd and Meinecke and as he parked, he saw Cartier Gabe and two unknown people walking toward him, according to the complaint. He said all three men had guns. One of the men pointed a gun at the victim’s head and said, “You’re going to have to give me everything.” Another man got into the jeep and also pointed a gun at the victim’s head.

Milwaukee Police Department (MPD)

The complaint says Cartier Gabe got into the backseat, hit the victim in the head and said, “Where’s your (expletive)?” He then took the victim’s phone and wallet while another man pulled the victim from the vehicle. Cartier Gabe then drove away in the jeep, leaving the other men behind.

Milwaukee police issued an alert for a possible suspect, and prosecutors said Wauwatosa police provided Simmons’ name as a possible match for “Cartier Gabe.” A review of Simmons’ photos from previous MPD bookings was then used to identify Simmons as Cartier Gabe.

Police chase | Wednesday, September 25

The next day, police were on patrol when they spotted a stolen Jeep near 55th and Lisbon – just a few blocks from the robbery site. The complaint says officers turned on their lights to stop the SUV, but the driver fled.

The complaint states that during the pursuit, the Jeep ran a red light, drove into oncoming traffic and was traveling at a top speed of 100 mph. It ended in disaster about five miles away, near 17th and Scott on the city’s south side.

The scene near 17th and Scott streets

Prosecutors said officers saw Hawpetoss get up from the driver’s seat and Burks from the front passenger seat. Both fled the scene of the accident but were arrested. During the foot pursuit, one officer was injured and was treated at a local hospital.

At the time of his arrest, Burks was in possession of an amphetamine pill, which the complaint states was a bail violation in a previous drug possession case.

The prosecutor’s office said that during police interrogation, both men admitted to their behavior. The two were not charged in connection with the armed robbery in which the Jeep was stolen.

In court

Simmons is charged with armed robbery and was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, October 1.

Hawpetoss is charged with fleeing/eluding the driver of a vehicle from police, bail jumping and misdemeanor obstructing an officer, while Burks is charged with bail jumping and misdemeanor obstructing an officer. Cash bail for both men was set at $2,000.