Three days after being released from jail for allegedly impersonating a substitute teacher, a Milwaukee woman was arrested again, this time in connection with a stolen SUV and a police chase in Illinois.
Amy Jones, 23, previously made headlines after prosecutors said she talked her way into a teaching assignment at her former high school, where she insulted students, used racial slurs, and made sexually inappropriate remarks.
Her attorney argued that she posed no risk and needed inpatient mental health treatment. A Milwaukee court released Jones on a signature bond October 6.
By October 9, police were looking for a woman who had allegedly used a false name to enter a Brookfield gym and steal a vehicle. Later that day, Brookfield police confirmed they had arrested Jones in Illinois.
The Latest Impersonation Had Wheels
Shortly before 5 a.m. Friday, Brookfield police responded to a vehicle theft at Crunch Fitness near 124th Street and Capitol Drive.
According to information provided to FOX6, a woman gave a false name to gain entry to the gym, then stole keys to a blue 2017 Nissan Pathfinder.
Police circulated a suspect photograph and asked the public for help locating the SUV, which bore Wisconsin license plate BEB-5809.
The vehicle was subsequently located, and Jones was arrested in Illinois following a reported police chase. Brookfield police had not confirmed the location or circumstances of that arrest in their Friday update.
The department referred the new allegations to the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Previous Performance Earned Six Felonies
Jones’s first case began September 24 at Rufus King International High School, which she had attended as a student.
Prosecutors say she entered the building, signed in as “Amy Jones sub,” and claimed to work for a substitute staffing agency. With eight employees absent and only seven substitutes available, school staff assigned her to a classroom without verifying her credentials.
Students soon complained that their substitute was using racial slurs, making sexual remarks, and separating the class by race and gender.
Jones allegedly called one student fat, asked another whether she wanted to become a stripper or a hooker, and questioned students about their sexuality. She also reportedly asked whether anyone had marijuana or a vape.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by Wisconsin Right Now, Jones told detectives she went to the school because she was bored, hated children, and wanted to cause trouble.
“Yeah because I was impersonating a teacher,” she reportedly told detectives when questioned about her conduct.
Prosecutors charged Jones with impersonating a public employee and five counts of exposing a child to harmful descriptions, all felonies. Milwaukee Public Schools acknowledged that staff had failed to follow its substitute-verification procedure.
Three Days Before
At Jones’s October 6 court appearance, defense attorney Michael Cerniglia offered an explanation for her behavior.
“Miss Jones manages bipolar disorder and was experiencing an acute manic episode caused by delayed home prescription delivery. So, she was off her meds during the time,” he told the court, according to WISN 12 News.
Cerniglia argued that Jones had no violent criminal history, posed no risk, and should be released to Granite Hills Hospital, where he said a bed was available for inpatient treatment.
Court Commissioner Rosa Barillas set a $5,000 signature bond, allowing Jones to leave jail without an upfront cash payment. She was ordered to have no contact with Rufus King or the students involved in the case.
The proposed hospital admission was not confirmed in the available reporting.
Three days later, Jones was back in police custody, facing a new investigation involving another alleged use of a false identity.
On WISN’s Facebook announcement, readers questioned the release decision, while others wondered whether photographs circulating from the two incidents showed the same woman.
The newest allegations have been referred to Waukesha County prosecutors. Jones also has a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 20 in the Milwaukee substitute-teacher case.
All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.