AfterTheClip

public-safety · Downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin

What happened after the man was tackled by police for grabbing a suspicious backpack in Milwaukee?

What happened?

Charged

Matthew Hughes was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer after he bypassed police lines to rummage through a suspicious backpack in downtown Milwaukee, which was later determined not to be dangerous.

4 sourcesLast checked Aug 11, 2026

By AfterTheClip Research

Sources: TMJ4 News; FOX6 News Milwaukee; CBS 58

Timeline

  1. Just before 7 a.m., a suspicious backpack was reported near Plankinton and Wisconsin in downtown Milwaukee, prompting a police response and the establishment of a perimeter.

  2. While the scene was cordoned off, Matthew Hughes rode his bicycle past police lines, approached the suspicious backpack, and began to remove items from it.

  3. Milwaukee Police officers rushed in and tackled Hughes to the ground, apprehending him for interfering with the investigation.

  4. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit investigated the backpack, determining it did not contain any dangerous explosives.

  5. Matthew Hughes was formally charged with one count of disorderly conduct and one count of obstructing an officer.

  6. Matthew Hughes appears in court, pleads not guilty to disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer, and a deferred prosecution agreement hearing is scheduled.

  7. A deferred prosecution agreement hearing is held, resolving the case without a criminal conviction.

What people are asking

Who was the man tackled by police in Milwaukee?

The man tackled by Milwaukee Police for interfering with a suspicious package investigation was identified as Matthew Hughes, 39, of Milwaukee.

Why did the man try to grab the suspicious backpack?

Matthew Hughes reportedly told officers and investigators that he intended to "be a hero" and "diffuse this situation," stating he was "going to go play superhero" to prevent another "Boston thing." He also mentioned having mental health issues.

What was in the suspicious backpack?

The suspicious backpack was investigated by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit and was determined not to contain any dangerous explosives. The exact non-dangerous contents were not specified in public reports.

What charges did Matthew Hughes face?

Matthew Hughes was charged with one count of disorderly conduct and one count of obstructing an officer for disregarding police commands and interfering with the suspicious package investigation.

Receipts

How we researched this & corrections

This story was sourced and verified using multiple local news reports from Milwaukee-based media outlets that covered the incident and its follow-up.

  • Aug 11, 2026 — Matthew Hughes, who was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer after interfering with a bomb squad investigation in Milwaukee on May 21, 2018, had his case resolved through a deferred prosecution agreement. This agreement allowed him to avoid a criminal conviction for his actions, which involved him riding his bicycle past police tape to inspect a suspicious backpack that was later determined to be harmless.
  • Sep 20, 2026 — Repeated timeline entries were consolidated, retaining their supporting citations.

Corrections: corrections@aftertheclip.com.

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