Man Faces Charges in Attempted Copper Wire Theft Case

A Palmyra man is facing multiple charges after he came to Waukesha and hid under a blanket in a person's apartment and later attempted steal copper wire from a store after he was released from Jefferson County Jail on charges of stealing scrap metal there, according to court documents.

According to the criminal complaint filed in , John F. Hartman, 23, and his girlfriend were charged in a felony scrap metal case in Jefferson County earlier this year, but when his girlfriend’s aunt came to her apartment she found Hartman hiding under a blanket even though the two were ordered to not contact each other.

Hartman and his girlfriend then both fled on foot and was later found by police, who he told he had just been walking around in the area, the complaint states.

Then on Thursday, Hartman was arrested again after he tried to steal $1,425 worth of copper wire from Menards, but was foiled by workers at the store before he could get out the door, according to the complaint. Hartman was arrested and initially claimed to be another man until police were able to identify him via his fingerprints.

Hartman is charged with one count of felony bail jumping, one count of retail theft and one count of obstructing an officer. If convicted, he faces up to 7 ½ years in prison and $30,000 in fines.