RACINE — A 23-year-old Racine man – with three current cases pending from 2023 – caught four more criminal charges after his arrest Feb. 16.
In the most recent case against Johnathan Klass, he is charged with two misdemeanor counts of obstructing an officer, along with misdemeanor counts of criminal trespassing and criminal damage to property, all as a repeat offender.
Criminal court records show that Klass also faces four additional criminal charges, including one felony, from a trio of cases that date back to May 21 of last year.
All totaled from those three cases, Klass is charged with two misdemeanor counts of obstructing an officer, felony hit-and-run causing injury and misdemeanor retail theft, all as a repeat offender.
If he’s convicted of all eight charges, Klass faces six years in the Racine County Jail and a total fine of $80,000. Klass remains free from custody on a total cash bond of $1,500.
Klass is considered a “habitual offender,” as court records show that he has five previous misdemeanor convictions from 2020 and 2021.
The most recent criminal complaint: Active warrant for arrest spurs residence check
Two deputies with the Racine County Sheriff’s Office conducted a check of the defendant’s last known address in the 2600 block of Cottonwood Court on Feb. 16, because they knew he had active warrants for his arrest.
The deputies observed Klass walking near the front of the residence, but when they ordered him to stop, he ran to the front door. Police searched the residence, but they were unable to locate Klass.
Based on additional information, police responded to the 1000 block of Augusta Street and a vacant residence currently under renovation. Police observed signs of forced entry and ordered Klass to exit, but they observed Klass attempting to run up the basement stairs.
Klass was eventually taken into custody by another officer as he attempted to exit out a different door. Police also heard and saw a “large amount of water flooding into the basement,” due to freshly damaged ceiling pipes, the complaint states.
According to a criminal complaint dated Oct. 27, 2023:
Mount Pleasant Police officers were dispatched to Festival Foods, 5740 Washington Ave., for a report of retail theft. Police learned that a male subject, later identified as Klass, took a bottle of Smirnoff vodka and left with it beneath his sweatshirt without paying.
An employee confronted Klass outside the store and was able to retrieve the stolen bottle, valued at $15.49. The employee told police Klass got into a tan Buick and was able to provide a license plate number.
Using that plate number and a booking photo of Klass, police were able to confirm his identity through his probation agent, the complaint states.
According to a criminal complaint dated June 2, 2023:
A Racine Police officer on patrol in the area of Douglas Avenue and Hamilton Street observed a verbal altercation between a white male and several other parties across the street. The white male later was identified as the defendant.
As the officer proceeded to drive behind Klass’s vehicle, the defendant “recklessly” drove northbound and collided with a Cadillac Escalade. Klass then fled at a high rate of speed, crossed the center lane, drove into oncoming traffic and crashed into another vehicle.
Klass then hopped a curb and accelerated away at a high rate of speed westbound, the complaint states. The officer also noted that Klass also drove without headlights.
One of the Escalade’s occupants suffered a neck injury and was transported to the hospital for treatment. Klass could not be located, and a check with the Department of Transportation showed he had a suspended driver’s license.
According to court records:
Klass also was charged on May 21, 2023, with two counts of obstructing an officer after an incident on Highway 38 and Emmertsen Road, which borders the villages of Mount Pleasant and Caledonia.
An officer with the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to that area for a male and female who were arguing in a car parked on the shoulder. When the officer attempted to identify both parties, the male, later determined to be Klass, identified himself as “Casey Boyle” and stated he didn’t have any identification.
While the officer spoke with the female, Klass dropped a backpack and took off running through yards. The female then told the officer the male was Klass.
Dispatch confirmed Klass was on probation with a no-contact order with the female. Police were unable to locate Klass, neither in the area or at his residence, the complaint states.
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