You may not believe what kind of tool a burglary suspect used to break into ATM!
Burglary suspect accused of using forklift to break into ATM
Burglary suspect accused of using forklift to break into ATM
WAUKESHA (WITI) -- Waukesha police say a burglary suspect used a forklift to break into an ATM! Police say the suspect has confessed to several other burglaries as well -- and gave a reason for the burglaries that police say is becoming common.
Some quick detective work and the suspect -- identified as Colin Lamarche helped Waukesha police solve some burglary cases.
Phil Ruhberg, the owner of the Waukesha Recycling Center says on Monday, April 28th, someone broke into the business from a side door -- but left with nothing.
Other businesses had also been hit -- including Skateland and Sporties Bar.
On Thursday night, May 1st, an officer stopped a speeding van matching the description of the vehicle involved in the burglaries.
"At least at that time -- able to identify the driver believed to be possibly a suspect in these burglaries -- but he didn't tip his hand at that time," Waukesha Police Captain Ron Oremus said.
On Friday morning, May 2nd, Ruhberg found that his business had been burglarized again!
According to authorities, the suspect drove a forklift through an interior brick wall and pierced an ATM machine. During the burglary, numerous safes were pried open -- and approximately $10,000 in cash was taken.
The New Berlin Police Department was sent to the suspect's place of employment to detain him. At that time, officials say $10,000 in cash, gloves and a large pry bar were recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
Waukesha Police Captain Ron Oremus says Lamarche confessed to other burglaries and explained why he committed them.
"He was using those burglaries to feed his drug habit. He was a heroin addict and a crack cocaine addict and he wanted the quick cash to be able to turn around and feed his habit. He's expressing that habit was as much as $500 a day," Oremus said.
Oremus says drug addiction is accounting for an ever increasing number of burglaries -- and Ruhberg has seen the impact.
"Definitely -- we see it even out here. We have locations in West Allis and Milwaukee. We see it all over. The suburbs are definitely not exempt from that," Ruhberg said.
Ruhberg says the man accused of burglarizing Waukesha Recycling is a regular customer of the business.