07/05/2025
Nice work South Beloit Police Dept!!!
Early this morning, 07/05/2025 at approximately 0033 hours, South Beloit Police Officers attempted to stop a reckless driver on Shirland Ave. entering South Beloit, eastbound, that was driving at speeds in excess of 60 MPH and dangerously passing and overtaking other vehicles on the roadway.
The vehicle immediately attempted to evade and flee from South Beloit Police Officers. The vehicle continued to flee from South Beloit Police Officers until the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed near the intersection of Harrison Ave. and White Ave. in Beloit Wisconsin.
In coordination with our partners at the Beloit Police Department, we were able to take the driver into custody, secure the passenger of the vehicle and seize two un-serialized and partially 3D printed fi****ms, one of which was converted with a 3D printed switch to convert it to an automatic weapon (machine gun).
Both occupants of the vehicle were transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries sustained during the crash.
The driver was identified to be Michael O. Joseph.
In consultation with the Winnebago County States Attorney’s Office Michael was charged with:
2 counts of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Loaded Firearm without a FOID
2 counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm without a Serial Number
1 count of Reckless Driving
1 count of Aggravated Fleeing to Elude
1 count of Driving while being Unlicensed
Michael remained in custody of the Beloit Police Department and was later lodged in the Rock County Jail for related, but separate charges.
We would like to thank the Beloit Police Department and Beloit Fire Department for their assistance during this incident.
*** The South Beloit Police Department would like to remind the community that these charges due not constitute a presumption of guilt and all people are presumed innocent until found/determined guilty in a Court. ***
