SHOREWOOD — A former Milwaukee County Executive was robbed Sunday at gunpoint, but the thieves were unable to get away with their main target, Chris Abele’s car.
A Shorewood alderwoman said Shorewood police confirmed to her that Abele was the victim. Shorewood police said suspects pulled their car in front of Abele’s, forcing him to stop on E. Capitol outside of Shorewood High School. Police said the suspect tried to steal Abele’s luxury car, but he couldn’t figure out how to get it to work.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: @TMJ4 News obtained this cell phone video from a witness that shows the aftermath of last night's attempted carjacking in Shorewood. Witness says he heard 2 shots.... Witness says the victim, former MKE Co. Exec. Chris Abele, is speaking w/ officer behind his BMW pic.twitter.com/R8ULeJXp48
— Ben Jordan (@BenJordan3) November 30, 2020
“I heard two gunshots kind of like a double tap, you know, pop, pop,” said a witness who asked to remain anonymous.
That witness said he was walking to the Shorewood post office shortly before 7:30 p.m. Sunday when he heard the gunfire a block in front of him.
“I was kind of surprised because I mean, it doesn’t normally happen in Shorewood,” he said.
The witness rushed to the scene and pulled out his cell phone to record. The video shows Abele speaking with an officer behind his white BMW while police blocked the road for their investigation.
Shorewood police said the driver of the suspect vehicle approached Abele while another suspect stayed put in their car. Police said the suspect who confronted Abele pointed a gun at him and told him to get out of the car. Abele did just that, but police said the suspect was unable to get the car to drive.
The Shorewood Police Department said the suspect stole Abele’s wallet and fired a pair of shots. One of the bullets struck Abele’s car before the suspects took off.
“It’s holiday season, it’s the middle of a pandemic, a lot of people out of work, people are getting desperate and people are getting more bold,” the witness said. “Hopefully that doesn’t continue.”
Abele told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he was on his way back from a hardware store when he was robbed. He also told the Journal Sentinel that he’s still shaken by the incident, but that the experience makes him more grateful to have another day with family and friends.
The witness said he met Abele several times when he was still the Milwaukee County Executive, an office Abele held for nearly a decade until he decided not to run for reelection again and enjoy private life instead.
“I’m glad he’s OK, his car isn’t but if that’s the worst that happened he’s blessed, right?” said the witness. “As long as it’s not him, property can be replaced.”
Shorewood police said the suspect was driving an older silver or grey sedan. Police said he’s believed to be 20 years old or younger.
