Three Charged in 2007 Waukesha Walgreens Robbery

Three people were charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Thursday for allegedly robbing a Waukesha Walgreens in 2007.

Joseph T. Pappalardo, 28, of Lyndon Station, Nicole L Rosario, 30, of Waukesha, and Michael J. Zake, of Milwaukee, were charged in connection with an April 2007 armed robbery of Walgreens, 221 E. Sunset Ave., in order to obtain prescription drugs.

According to the criminal complaint, in 2007, Pappalardo owed Zake money, so Pappalardo suggested he rob the Walgreens to make money. Rosario, who worked as an employee at the store, allegedly then provided Pappalardo with information about the store, who would have the keys and what time would be the best to commit the robbery.

At 9:50 p.m. April 25, 2007, Pappalardo entered the store, the complaint states, brandished a gun and told the pharmacist to give him Oxycontin. The pharmacist gave him four bottles of the pills and Pappalardo told her “sorry to have to do this to you” and walked out of the store, according to the complaint.

On March 21, the complaint alleges Zake told a Waukesha police officer he was involved in the robbery four years ago. On April 14, officers interviewed Pappalardo, who admitted to the crime saying he owed Zeke $4,000 and they stole the pills in order to pay off the debt, the complaint said.

If convicted, Zake and Pappalardo could each face up to 40 years in prison and $100,000 in fines, and Rosario could face up to 15 years in prison and $50,000 in fines.