GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A teenager who stole a Kia was sentenced Tuesday to 90 days in jail.
Darian Pinchart, 17, was also placed on probation for two years by Judge Thomas Walsh. Pinchart must write an apology letter to the officer who was injured and get a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Before the sentence was issued, Pinchart apologized for his actions. He said the nine days he spent in jail after his arrest scared him.
The victims have requested restitution of $23,124.64. No decision was made Tuesday, however, if Pinchart will have to pay it.
Green Bay Police released squad car dash cam video of a June 21 pursuit after driving a stolen Kia Sportage that hit a police vehicle and caused minor injuries to an officer.
The incident involving Pinchart happened just after 1:30 p.m. when officers were initiating a traffic stop at North Washington and Main Streets.
In the squad camera video, the Kia can be seen backing into the front of one police vehicle, then pulling forward and causing injury to an officer’s wrist when it catches on the door frame of an open window as the driver accelerates before fleeing at a high rate of speed, creating a dust cloud.
At this point, officers chose not to continue to pursue the vehicle, taking public safety into account. A short time later, officers were able to locate the vehicle unoccupied near Pine and North Roosevelt streets.
A K9 unit was then used to track the suspect leading to Pinchart’s arrest around North Baird and St. Clair streets with the assistance of the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.
Green Bay Police say about 70% of the city’s 265 auto thefts or attempted thefts this year involve Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
