Man Accused of Stealing $15K Worth of Guns From Brookfield Home

A West Allis man stole more than $15,000 worth of guns out of a Brookfield home, charges allege.

James Lee Hoffman, 39, was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Thursday with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and one count of theft of moveable property. If convicted, he faces up to 16 years in prison and $35,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Monday, Brookfield police officers were called to the victim’s residence in the 1000 block of Chester Street after he reported 27 guns had been stolen from his collection within the house. The guns had a total value of between $15,560 and $15,660.

The victim suspected his daughter — who lives with Hoffman — may have been involved in the theft.

On Tuesday, Hoffman called the victim, admitted he had the guns and agreed to return them as long as the father didn’t press charges. Hoffman came to the house on Wednesday and dumped a number of guns on a blanket the victim left in the driveway. But nine of the firearms still were missing.

Hoffman told police officers he dates the victim’s daughter and stole the guns one or two months prior, using a key he got to the home. Hoffman said he took the guns and sold them to another man so he could pay off some gambling debts and other bills.

Hoffman was being held in the Waukesha County Jail on $10,000 bail.