Woman Arrested Twice After Police Fail to Delete Flagged Car from Surveillance System

Amber Newell, a Brookfield resident, was erroneously arrested at gunpoint on two occasions after her automobile stayed listed as a wanted vehicle in the Flock surveillance database. The alert originated from a July homicide probe, and a Milwaukee Police Department employee failed to clear the entry, causing Brookfield officers to stop her on I-94 on Aug. 6, draw weapons, and seize the car. The incident left Newell handcuffed, led to the impoundment of her vehicle, and cost her two jobs, prompting her to avoid driving.

Brookfield Police Chief Christopher Garcia said his officers acted according to the data they received, while Newell accused MPD of the mistake. She has retained attorney B’Ivory LaMarr, who argues the city bears responsibility and seeks a formal apology, though no lawsuit has been filed yet.