KENOSHA, Wis. — A 41-year-old Kenosha man with five previous drunk driving convictions is facing three new criminal charges after police say he crashed a vehicle, fled the scene, hid from officers, kicked a Kenosha police officer and repeatedly shouted racial and homophobic slurs at police and hospital staff. Steven J. Levendoski, 41, of Kenosha, was charged Monday, October 12, with felony sixth-offense operating while intoxicated, felony battery to a law enforcement officer and misdemeanor resisting an officer, all with repeat-offender enhancements. Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum set a $15,000 cash bail during Levendoski’s initial appearance Monday afternoon.

According to an amended criminal complaint filed Tuesday, October 13, Kenosha police were dispatched around 2:15 a.m. Saturday, October 10, to a crash near 5915 31st Avenue. Callers reported that a vehicle had struck a parked vehicle and that a man wearing a backpack had walked away from the crash. One caller reported that the vehicle had lost a tire and was producing sparks.

Kenosha Police Officer Wagner spotted a man matching the description walking in the area of 58th Street and 30th Avenue. A witness pointed toward the man and identified him as the person involved in the crash. Police later identified the man as Levendoski, who allegedly began running when officers attempted to locate him.

According to prosecutors, Levendoski entered an alley, dropped his backpack and disappeared into thick vegetation. Officer Newell and his police K9 were called to assist in the search. Officers eventually located Levendoski hiding in a narrow space between two fences. A search of the abandoned backpack revealed an open bottle of Burnett’s vodka.

Police Say Levendoski Kicked Officer While Resisting Arrest
When officers attempted to take Levendoski into custody, he allegedly resisted by placing his hands underneath his body to prevent officers from handcuffing him. Police eventually secured him, but prosecutors say he then kicked Officer Kowalski in the shoulder area with his right leg.

Kowalski reported that the kick caused him pain. Officers also reported that Levendoski refused to assist with his own movement, forcing them to physically carry him to a squad car. The alleged kick resulted in the additional felony charge of battery to a law enforcement officer.

Police reported smelling intoxicants coming from Levendoski, who denied being involved in the crash. He claimed he had been in a backyard with a friend and insisted that he had not been driving.

A witness told investigators that he heard a loud crash and went outside, where he observed a black SUV that appeared to have been involved in an accident. The witness said he saw Levendoski digging through the center console and placing items into a backpack. When the witness approached to ask whether he was okay, Levendoski allegedly began directing racial slurs toward him. The witness also noticed that Levendoski had a bloody forehead and was slurring his words.

Threats Against Officers, Hospital Staff And Repeated Slurs
Levendoski was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital for medical treatment, where his alleged behavior continued.

According to the complaint, Officer Price reported that Levendoski alternated between being relatively calm and becoming aggressive. He allegedly yelled at officers, threatened to fight police and hospital employees, threatened to spit at hospital staff and repeatedly shouted racial and homophobic slurs.

Levendoski also allegedly made statements about previously serving time in prison and suggested he would be released again after a short period.

Police obtained a search warrant for Levendoski’s blood, which was drawn at approximately 4:19 a.m. The results were not available when the amended criminal complaint was filed.

During questioning, Levendoski continued denying that he had operated the vehicle, telling officers they could not place him behind the wheel.

Investigators subsequently learned that the Chevrolet Equinox involved in the crash belonged to a man who lived with Levendoski. The owner told Detective Krein that he had been working on the vehicle the previous day and had left the keys inside. He said Levendoski was not supposed to have access to the vehicle.

The detective described the owner as evasive during the telephone interview and reported that he appeared unwilling to provide information. Police later located the Chevrolet’s key fob inside Levendoski’s pants pocket. The key reportedly had the name “Levendoski” on it.

Five Previous Drunk Driving Convictions, Revoked License
Court documents show that Levendoski has an extensive history of drunk driving convictions dating back more than two decades.

His previous OWI convictions occurred in Racine County in July and August 2004, Illinois in December 2010, Milwaukee County in December 2014 and Kenosha County in April 2019.

At the time of his latest arrest, Levendoski’s driving privileges were revoked because of previous alcohol-related convictions. He was also subject to an ignition interlock device requirement and was on active probation or parole. Officers reported that the vehicle involved in the crash did not contain an ignition interlock device.

Prosecutors also cited Levendoski’s December 19, 2022, convictions in Kenosha County for battery, resisting an officer and misdemeanor bail jumping. Those convictions form the basis for the repeat-offender enhancements attached to all three new charges.

A sixth-offense OWI conviction ordinarily carries a mandatory minimum of 18 months of initial confinement, although Wisconsin law allows a judge to impose less under limited circumstances if specific findings are made on the record.

$15,000 Cash Bail Set, Preliminary Hearing Scheduled
At Monday’s initial appearance, Assistant District Attorney Sarah Norkus represented the prosecution, while attorney Lorenzo Rodriguez appeared with Levendoski.

Commissioner Kellum set a $15,000 cash bail with conditions prohibiting Levendoski from consuming or possessing alcohol, possessing controlled substances without a prescription or driving without a valid license. He was also ordered to have no contact with Officer Kowalski except in the officer’s official capacity.

If released, Levendoski must report to Wisconsin Community Services, submit to random drug and alcohol testing when requested and comply with the program’s requirements.

Levendoski is scheduled to return to court on Thursday, October 22, at 9:45 a.m. for a preliminary hearing before Commissioner Kellum. His case is assigned to Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Jodi L. Meier (D).