Crime & Safety

Two Arrested in Thefts From Church, State Lawmaker's Wallet

Two men arrested by Brookfield police racked up $6,100 in illegal purchases from credit cards that included a state legislator's campaign account.

Brookfield police have arrested two men for allegedly stealing items from a church — — and racking up about $6,100 in illegal purchases.

The men were among a group of men living at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission who ride a bus to attend the Sunday morning services at , 14135 W. Burleigh Road, Police Capt. Jim Adlam said.

During the service the men rifled through coats hanging in a foyer coat room and stole items including car keys, wallets and cell phones, police said. One coat belonged to Kooyenga, whose wallet was stolen, along with his driver's license, military ID and credit cards, including a card connected to his state campaign account.

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About $1,400 in total purchases were charged to Kooyenga's cards in the short time before Kooyenga realized his wallet was stolen and quickly canceled his cards.

Another nearly $4,700 in unauthorized charges were made to credit cards stolen from another church-goer's wallet, police said.

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Police arrested a 29-year-old former Cedarburg man and a 35-year-old former New Berlin man both now living at the Rescue Mission. 

"There were two guys who don't normally go (to the Brookfield church service) who went this time," Adlam said.

Video tapes from businesses where charges were made showed the men making purchases. Items were charged at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, gas stations and small food markets and potentially pawned for drugs, police said. Few purchased items were recovered.

Charges have not yet been filed. Police are recommending charges of identity theft and theft.

Kooyenga, who could not be immediately reached for comment, had called the thefts unfortunate but said they would not shake his faith.  

He said he usually doesn't leave his wallet in his coat but was distracted that morning when an elderly parishioner fainted and he went to assist the man, who was a former neighbor of Kooyenga.


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