Crime & Safety

Police Reports: Burglars, Thieves Work Hard for Next to Nothing

In a batch of break-ins and a spate of auto entries, criminals take some big risks for very small gains. Also in the news, Tosa East teens help police sting underage tobacco sellers.

 

If you leave it unlocked, don’t leave anything in it

A slew of auto entries in the wee hours of Wednesday morning in East Tosa netted a thief or thieves an almost worthless collection of property: a bandana, a baseball bat, some worthless checks and a little loose change.

In all cases, the cars entered had been left unlocked, and no property damage was reported. In one case, though, a resident’s garage was entered to get to the auto.

Find out what's happening in Wauwatosawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to the reports:

  • A resident of the 2300 block of North 65th Street reported that overnight two unlocked cars, one his and the other his fiance’s, were entered and rummaged through. His car was in the driveway and a yellow Marquette High School Hilltoppers bandana was taken from it. His fiance’s car was in the garage, and she was missing a book of checks from a long-closed account and an aluminum baseball bat that had been in the trunk. The report did not say whether the garage was thought to have been locked or how it was entered.
  • A resident of the 2400 block of North 63rd Street reported that her unlocked car had been entered overnight and change stolen while it was parked in the driveway.
  • A resident of the 2500 block of North 67th Street reported that his unlocked car was entered overnight and had been rummaged through but nothing was taken.
  • A resident of the 2500 block of North 62nd Street reported that between 2:30 and 4:30 a.m. someone entered his unlocked vehicle and stole change.

A lot of burglarious work for nothing, but a lot of damage done

Also reported Wednesday morning, a burglar or burglars entered the Fairview Building, 10425 W. North Ave., overnight and proceeded to break in to three dentistry offices and the .

Find out what's happening in Wauwatosawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The doors of three of the offices had been pried open with a crowbar. The same method was tried and failed at the fourth office, so the perpetrator smashed in the door glass.

Nothing was found to be missing from any of the office suites, but thousands of dollars worth of damage was done to the doors and frames.

Police found an outer door to the building ajar when they arrived, indicating someone had probably left that way, but no evidence of forced entry was found.

Two seriously impaired drivers collared

At 2:20 a.m. Wednesday, a 49-year-old Milwaukee man was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, first offense, after another driver saw him passed out at the wheel at a stoplight at Blue Mound Road and Glenview Avenue and called police.

The man woke up after a complete cycle of the stoplight and the caller followed him to the Citgo gas station at 10324 Blue Mound, where police arrived. Officers smelled both alcohol and marijuana on him and found 5.3 grams of pot in a baggie under the driver’s seat.

The man failed a field sobriety test when the officer halted it because the driver could not comply with instructions. He blew a 0.134 blood alcohol content on a breath test.

Really intoxicated before noon

At 11:16 a.m. Sunday, a 27-year-old Milwaukee man was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, his second offense, after he was seen weaving and swerving in traffic on West Capitol Drive and then on North 124th Street after turning.

The driver was visibly unsteady and couldn’t complete a field sobriety test. He blew a 0.26 BAC, more than three times the proscribed limit.

Young dealer offers a selection of drugs

At 3:50 p.m. Sunday, an 18-year-old Wauwatosa man was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of psilocybin mushrooms and possession of drug paraphernalia after a stop for speeding on Menomonee River Parkway at Charles Hart Parkway.

The patrol officer suspected he had been smoking pot because he noticed an “overly strong odor of air freshener” as often used to mask the smell of marijuana.

The young man denied having any marijuana or having smoked any, but with the help of K9 officer Addy, police recovered just over 53 grams of marijuana and 12 grams of mushrooms from his backpack.

He then admitted that he deals drugs, but only among a circle of friends.

Raider girls help cops crack down on cigarette sales

Police issued three citations during an underage tobacco-selling sting operation Sunday using two 16-year-old girls who attend East High School who volunteered as operatives.

The girls were given cash and sent into stores to try to buy cigarettes using their own valid Wisconsin driver’s licenses.

In numerous attempts around the city, the girls were sold packs of cigarettes at Currie Park Auto, 10745 W. Capitol Dr.; , 6607 W. North Ave.; and  the Walgreen’s store at 2656 Wauwatosa Ave.

Other incidents

At 4:11 p.m. Thursday, a Milwaukee woman employed at , 201 N. Mayfair Rd., reported that some time since 8 a.m. her car was broken into while in the parking structure and a gym bag stolen. She found her window smashed and the bag, which contained only gym shoes and workout clothes, missing.

A resident of the 2100 block of North 107th Street reported Sunday that some time during the preceding two weeks someone had stolen two sections of wrought iron fencing from his back yard. He valued the pieces at $1,500.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Wauwatosa