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Police identify suspect in Milwaukee-area woman's brutal beating, ask public for help in finding him

Posted at 11:01 AM, Jul 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-27 20:36:45-04

GREENFIELD -- Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a man who they describe as a suspect in a Milwaukee-area woman's brutal beating and attempted carjacking last Friday.

The search is on for a suspect wanted for a brutal attempted carjacking. Greenfield police are looking for 18-year-old Corleon Thomas of Milwaukee.

"The public has a lot of sets of eyes out there and it's important they pay attention," said Detective Sgt. Eric Lindstrom.

Lindstrom said Thomas is wanted for an attempted carjacking grocery store parking lot at 27th Street and Grange Avenue Friday night.

"I tried kicking and hitting him. I couldn't do it, I couldn't get him," the victim said.

The victim does not want us to share her name because she's afraid for her safety.  She talked to TODAY’S TMJ4 earlier this week about the traumatic experience.  She was beaten with brass knuckles and said pepper spray kept her in the fight.

"As soon as I felt it I knew I was going to be okay like I was gonna get him," she said.
The alleged female accomplice was arrested Tuesday for an unrelated crime in Wauwatosa.

"They realized right away that this was probably the girl we were looking for and they contacted us," said Lindstrom. 

Lindstrom said Greenfield police are now closing in on Thomas.

"We have locations where we are looking for him," he said.

Lindstrom’s hoping leads turn into an arrest.

"If this suspect is willing to do this to one person it's pretty likely they're willing to do it again," he said. 

Thomas has a criminal history for resisting arrest. If you've seen him, you're asked to call 911.

 

Greenfield Police gave TODAY'S TMJ4 a description of her attacker:

  • Light-skinned black male
  • Early 20s
  • 5'5" tall
  • Thin build
  • Dark colored zip up hoodie
  • Jeans

Officers also said they have arrested a 16-year-old girl who may be an accomplice in the case. She was taken to the Milwaukee County Children's Court Center and is being held on charges of being party to a crime of armed robbery, substantial battery, and operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent.

Someone attacked the victim in a grocery store parking lot at 27th Street and Grange Avenue Friday, leaving behind a fractured maxillary bone, shifted teeth and bruises. Police say she was brutally punched with brass knuckles.

"I tried kicking and hitting him. I couldn't do it, I couldn't get him," said the victim, who did not want to share her name publicly.

She says the female accomplice was with the attacker, shouting directions at him to "take her purse." She says she let the man hit her, as she reached for her pepper spray.

"As soon as I felt it I knew I was going to be okay like I was gonna get him," explained the victim.

She described not letting go of the nozzle until he held his face in pain and took off.

"I'm small and petite and I'm a woman but I'm pretty strong and I'm pretty mighty too," said the victim.