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Crime & Safety

23-Year-Old Allegedly Burglarized A Man Trying To Help Him

Suspect, 23, allegedly stole checks in order to pay off old drug debts.

A 23-year-old Menomonee Falls man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly burglarized and committed identity theft against another man who was trying to give him a second chance at life.

Christopher M. Equitz was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Wednesday with one count of burglary, one count of operating a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner and four counts of identity theft for financial gain. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in prison and $75,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim had employed Equitz and was allowing him to live in his home in order to give him a second chance, but Equitz had to be kicked out of the home in January because he wasn’t taking advantage of the help he was given, but he allowed Equitz to use a truck he owned so he could commute to school and work.

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However, in May, the complaint states the victim began getting forged checks from the bank that had been made out to Equitz’s girlfriend, which totaled up to about $1,100.

Investigators soon found an entrance had been made into the victim’s house through a garage window. Equitz had also been told he needed to return the borrowed truck, but he refused.

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The complaint states Equitz admitted to burglarizing the victim’s home, saying he needed the money to pay off drug debts and he needed cash to fill up the borrowed truck with gas.

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