Sunny A. Patel : “16-Year-Old Pleads Not Guilty to Police Chases – Facing 40 Years in Prison”

A 16-year-old student at Indian Trail High School and Academy is facing four very serious felony charges following two separate car chases that reportedly took place on April 27, 2024. Sunny A. Patel was initially charged as a juvenile but was swiftly transferred to adult court for prosecution.

Patel is accused of two counts of Attempting to Flee or Elude an Officer and two counts of First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety. If convicted, he could face a maximum of six years for each fleeing charge and 12.5 years for each endangering safety charge, totaling nearly 40 years in the Wisconsin prison system. In juvenile court, Judge Jodi Meier determined that due to Patel’s personality, prior record, and the seriousness of the offences, transferring him to the adult system was in the best interest of both the juvenile and the public.

Today, Patel waived his right to a preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty to all four felonies.

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Details of the Alleged Offences

According to the criminal complaint:

On the night of April 27, 2024, Officer Moorehouse of the Pleasant Prairie Police Department observed a white Tesla driving at high speeds on State Highway 31. The driver, later identified as Sunny Patel, was spotted by Officer Moorehouse, who attempted to catch up to the vehicle but had to travel at excessive speeds to do so. Patel allegedly reached speeds of over 100 mph and disregarded traffic signs and safety measures during the pursuit.

Despite attempts by law enforcement to stop Patel, he continued to drive recklessly, endangering both himself and other road users. The pursuit was eventually terminated for safety reasons, but Patel was later apprehended by other officers after a second pursuit.

Officer Haske of the Pleasant Prairie Police Department also witnessed Patel driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph on another occasion, leading to a separate pursuit and eventual arrest.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Following his arrest, Patel appeared in Kenosha County Circuit Court where Commissioner Bill Michel II set his bail at $20,000, which was posted for his release pending trial.

The Pleasant Prairie Police Department commended their officers for the safe apprehension of Patel and thanked the public for their cooperation during the incidents. They highlighted the dangers of reckless driving and the importance of swift action in such cases.