Scott Mertens pleads not guilty to homicide, burglary charges

RACINE CO. -- 46-year-old Scott Mertens pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, October 3rd to multiple charges in connection with the murder of Robert Greene.

Greene was shot and killed at a home in the Town of Yorkville on Sunday, August 26th.

After investigators spoke to several witnesses, they identified Mertens as a suspect in the case. That's in part because Mertens had problems with the owner of the property where the shooting took place. He was also identified as a disgruntled former employee.

The criminal complaint indicates Mertens fired the shot that killed Greene. He is also alleged to have stolen a car from the property. Investigators found a cell money and money inside the car.

Investigators learned Mertens hopped on a bus to Texas to visit with "his daughter and his daughter's boyfriend." Authorities were in touch with the bus operator -- and had the bus stopped in New Madrid, Missouri where Mertens was arrested.

Mertens faces four criminal charges including first-degree reckless homicide, armed burglary and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces up to 60 years in prison.