OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Brillion man who allegedly forced a confrontation with another motorist, dragged him from his vehicle, stole the car, and then rear-ended another vehicle before being arrested, pleaded not guilty Monday.
Michael Leiterman, 43, faces five counts, including carjacking, for the Sept. 11 incident.
A plea hearing is scheduled for Dec. 1. If the case is not settled, a trial date of Dec. 5 is set, court records show.
According to the criminal complaint, police were called to the area of State 91 and State 44 in Oshkosh about 6:30 a.m. Monday. A man was there with a car — but it wasn’t his car.
The victim told police he was driving on State 91 when another vehicle passed him, then slammed on the brakes. Both vehicles stopped.
The victim “opened his window to see what the subject needed and the subject immediately stated, ‘Open up. I want your car.’ (The victim) tried to close the window, but the subject reached in and opened the door handle, opening the door, grabbing (the victim) by the arm and physically pulled him from the car. As he was being yanked out, (the victim) remembered to grab his bag that had the key fob in it. The subject said, ‘I want your car real bad. I want your car. You can have mine.’ The subject then drove off,” the complaint states.
A short time later, Oshkosh Police were informed Leiterman was in custody in Berlin. There, police located another victim from an incident shortly before the carjacking.
The second victim told police he was driving on State 44 when a vehicle came up from behind, rear-ended his car at least twice, and then drove off.
The criminal complaint does not contain any explanation from Leiterman.