Homeless Woman Steals Minivan from Falls Home

A homeless woman is facing possible prison time after she allegedly stole a Menomonee Falls woman’s minivan with electronics and a debit card inside and drove it into Milwaukee.

Heather L. Garcia, 37, was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Friday with one count of operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, one count of identity theft and one count of misdemeanor theft. If convicted, she faces up to 12 years and nine months in prison, and $30,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

Garcia was staying with the victim on and off at her residence in the N8500 block of Ann Court because she’s homeless and dependent on drugs. However, on Aug. 13, she decided to take the minivan while the victim was sleeping.

The victim told police she had several electronic items in the car including a laptop computer and an iPod Touch. She said the van also had her debit card with her PIN number inside it. She later discovered at least $800 in unauthorized transactions had been placed on it.

Later that day Garcia called the victim and told her she had the van parked outside a residence in the 1700 block of Cambridge in Milwaukee. Garcia told the woman she owed her money and asked if she could return to the residence, but the victim just took her van back and left.

Garcia is currently out of custody and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.