3 arrested in Janesville following sporting goods store burglary

Three people were arrested Monday afternoon after they fled the Dick’s Sporting Goods store at 2500 Milton Ave. with stolen merchandise, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

Police were dispatched to the store around 3:30 p.m. for a retail theft phoned in by employees. The employees followed the thieves as they attempted to leave the store in two vehicles, providing officers with descriptions of a gold SUV and a silver Kia.

Officers attempted to stop the gold SUV upon arrival in the mall parking lot, but the driver sped away, finally stopping when more officers arrived. All 3 SUV occupants were taken into custody, and roughly $300 worth of stolen merchandise was recovered from the vehicle.

In the search for the silver Kia, one suspect was located inside of a Burger King. The vehicle in question was located in the parking lot. The officer who spoke to the suspect observed that he may have been impaired. The suspect was later arrested and refused field sobriety tests. The results of a blood test for which police obtained a search warrant are pending. Officers found about $50 worth of stolen merchandise as well as open intoxicants in the Kia.