Aroma of 'Dirty People' Leads to Charges in Falls Burglary

A 19-year-old Menomonee Falls woman is accused of breaking into her grandparent’s home with her boyfriend and stealing stuff, then taking a shower.

Brianna A. Anderson was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Wednesday with one count of burglary. If convicted, she faces up to 7 ½ years in prison and $25,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

At 8:30 p.m. May 16, Menomonee Falls police officers were called to a home in the N9400 block of Joper Road after a couple came home to find someone had entered their home and stolen some items, such as car keys and a cell phone charger. The couple also noticed it smelled like “dirty people,” in the home and that someone had taken a shower and left hair in the drain.

A car in the garage had its fuse box tampered with and someone popped the hood as if they tried to start it. The car didn’t run, but the key was still missing. The couple said they suspected their granddaughter in the break-in, saying Anderson is a heroin addict and is homeless with her boyfriend.

Officers interviewed the boyfriend who said he remembered the day because it was his birthday and Anderson let him into the home. He said he stayed with her for one or two hours, then got a ride so he could go buy more heroin.

Anderson admitted entering the home, but denied taking the keys or cell phone charger. Anderson will make her initial appearance in court Jan. 7.