Superior man accused of back-to-back carjacking attempts appears in court – Superior Telegram

SUPERIOR – A man accused of consecutive carjacking attempts made his first appearance in Douglas County Circuit Court on Tuesday, November 4.

Michael Garner Thompson, 37, of Superior is facing two charges of attempted theft using force, two charges of attempted carjacking using force, two charges of attempting to operate a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, three misdemeanor charges and one charge of obstructing an officer. A $35,000 cash bond was set for Thompson and he was ordered to have no contact with any of the victims, Goodwill or Kwik Trip.

Contributed / Douglas County Jail

Superior police officers responded to an attempted carjacking near 2911 Tower Ave. on Wednesday, Oct. 30, around 3:30 p.m., according to the criminal complaint. They discovered Thompson being held down by three people and reported observing signs indicating the man was under the influence of methamphetamine.

The reported victim told officers she was dropping off donations at Goodwill when Thompson approached her, grabbed her and punched her in the face. She fell to the floor and he tried to take her keys. She told officers she was terrified because her 7-year-old grandchild was in the backseat of the vehicle.

Bystanders intervened and restrained Thompson until police arrived. He was arrested and taken to the Douglas County Jail after receiving medical clearance for injuries sustained in the incident.

While investigating the incident, officers discovered a second attempted carjacking, reportedly involving the same suspect, just a short distance away in the Kwik Trip parking lot. The victim of that incident said his vehicle was parked near a fuel pump. He left the store with a bag of groceries, unlocked the car with his key fob and placed the groceries on the passenger seat.

He told police that as Thompson walked around the front of his car, he opened the driver’s door, got in and yelled at the man to give him the keys. The man began pulling Thompson out of his car and a fight ensued. After the fight, a witness saw Thompson running toward Superior Choice Credit Union, then changing course and running toward Goodwill.

The most serious charges, theft and carjacking, are Class E felonies each carrying a maximum penalty of seven and a half years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Thompson’s next court appearance was scheduled for Nov. 13.

Maria Lockwood covers news in Douglas County, Wisconsin, for the Superior Telegram.