Six months in auto auction theft attempt

RACINE — An 18-year-old Milwaukee man was sentenced Monday in Racine County Circuit Court to six months in jail for his role in an attempted auto theft in September at the Manheim Auto Auction, five hundred sixty one 27th St., Raymond.

Devante J. Fells of the nine thousand one hundred block of Joyce Avenue pleaded guilty on Nov. Eleven to two counts of being a party to the crime of attempted theft and one of felony bail leaping, court records demonstrate.

Fells and four others were accused of attempting to steal several cars at the auction by building a makeshift ramp out of logs.

The Sept. Nine theft plot failed when a car became stuck, criminal complaints indicate.

Witnesses on the lot alerted security that a group of fellows were attempting to build a ramp where a slot had been cut in the fence. After being spotted at the lot, the group allegedly fled.

According to court records, Fells will serve his sentence consecutive to time he is already serving for convictions in Milwaukee County related to driving a vehicle without owners’ consent.

Fells was also ordered to pay $Two,222.51 in restitution to Manheim Auto Auction, court records indicate.

Fells’ sentence originally called for time in the state prison system and extended supervision, but that portion was stayed, court records indicated.

Fells’ sentence also stipulates that he not associated with any of the others involved in the Manheim case, directly or indirectly.

On Feb. 20, Lewis Hicks, 20, of Milwaukee, received a sentence of three years probation for his role in the case. He pleaded guilty on Dec. Nine to two counts of being a party to the crime of attempted theft.

Kjohnti O. Upshaw, Eighteen, of Milwaukee, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 27. He pleaded guilty on Feb. Thirteen to being a party to the crime of attempted theft and two counts of being a party to the crime of criminal harm to property.

Trevion D. Sims, 38, of Milwaukee, is due back in court on March twenty four for a status hearing and has a trial is set for April 28.

Vernisha T. Ashby, Nineteen, of Milwaukee, has a prayer hearing scheduled for April 14.

Sheriff’s deputies reported finding a 6-foot slot cut in the chain-link fence with a black backpack and bolt cutters next to it, according to the criminal complaint.

Upshaw allegedly attempted to budge a Range Rover from the lot, but couldn’t stir it from its spot, and Hicks couldn’t budge a Kia Optima because it was blocked in by other cars, the complaints state.

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