Brookfield Man Accused of Stealing Brother's Van, Wallet to Get Heroin

A Brookfield man stole his brother’s van and wallet Friday so he could go buy heroin on the north side of Milwaukee, charges allege.

David R. Melotik, 39, was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Monday with one count of theft from a person and one count of disorderly conduct. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and $26,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

The brothers were at Melotik's Brookfield home on Friday. Melotik kept asking his brother for money that he said he needed so he could go to a drug rehab facility to treat his heroin addiction.

The brother said he wouldn't give him money but said they should call their father who would drive Melotik to the rehab facility.

Melotik and his girlfiend got in his brother's van and they started driving to their father’s home in New Berlin. But on the way Melotik said he wanted to go to Hampton Avenue instead. His brother refused to take him there.

Melotik then began to grab the wheel of the van, forcing his brother to pull over to the side of the road near Sunnyslope Road and Honey Lane. Melotik started pushing his brother against the door until the sibling fell out of the van.

Melotik then got on top of his brother and grabbed his wallet out of his pants before jumping back in the van and driving away. The sibling left on the side of the road got a ride from another person to his father’s house where he contacted the New Berlin Police Department.

Later that day, the Milwaukee Police Department contacted the victim after his van was found parked near North 38th Street and West Hampton Avenue. Inside the van was his wallet, which was missing $170.

Milwaukee police later arrested Melotik, who was being held in the Waukesha County Jail on $3,500 bond while awaiting trial.