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Crime & Safety

Complaint: Curious Waukesha Man Breaks Into Business

Suspect broke into a West Allis business and tried to steal a red clevis from a crane because he thought it was "cool," according to a criminal complaint.

A 20-year-old Waukesha man is finding out the hard way that if you’re curious about what a business does, you shouldn’t break in to find out and try to steal a piece of a crane you find “cool.”

Eric R. Schroeder was charged in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on Thursday with one count of theft after he allegedly broke into Zignego Ready Mix, 521 S. Curtis Road, West Allis. If convicted, he could face up to nine months in prison and $10,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

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On Dec. 10, West Allis police were called to the business for a burglary in progress after Schroeder was seen walking around the yard of the business. When police arrived, they found Schroeder walking around the business along with a red clevis taken from the back of a crane.

After reviewing surveillance video from the business, police saw Schroeder push on part of the fence until he was able to sneak through the fence.

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He admitted to breaking in, telling officers he did it because he was curious as to what Zignego was. He also told police he took the red clevis from the back of the crane because he thought it was “cool.”

The clevis is valued at $50.

Schroeder will make his initial appearance in court Feb. 3.

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