By Vicky Wedig
Staff Writer
A status conference is scheduled for Feb. 2 for a Whitewater man charged with breaking into two homes and stealing things from cars in Whitewater eight months ago.
Lupe T. Medina, 21, was charged Nov. 19 in Walworth County Circuit Court with two counts each of burglary of a building or dwelling and misdemeanor theft; and criminal damage to property, all as a party to a crime.
Medina and two friends are suspected of breaking into homes and stealing items from vehicles in Whitewater on April 25. Burglaries were reported that night to homes on Milwaukee Street and Ash Lane, and theft was reported from a vehicle on Bluff Ridge Drive.
The residents of the Milwaukee Street home reported the locked exterior door of their home was kicked in and at least one person entered their house before fleeing, according to the criminal complaint. After seeing someone move in the kitchen, the resident yelled, and the person ran out the door, according to the complaint.
The residents of the Ash Lane home reported that someone entered their garage and took items from their garage and vehicles including a jigsaw, hammer drill, trim nailer, drill and impact driver, sander, Sawzall, laser level, roofing nailer, impact wrench and an MP3 player, according to the complaint.
Vehicles at a home on Bluff Ridge Drive were entered, and a battery pack, subwoofer, three knives, a tuner, golf clubs, a phone charger and a stereo cable were stolen.
Police spoke with Alexander C. Beaver, 21, of Palmyra, who allegedly admitted he was with Medina and Brandon F. Evans, 21, of Palmyra, during the early morning hours of April 25, and they committed several thefts and burglaries. Evans also allegedly admitted he was with Beaver and Medina that night and said the stolen property was stored at Medina’s house, according to the complaint.
Police searched Medina’s residence April 29 and found two of the knives stolen from vehicles on Bluff Ridge Road, according to the complaint.
Evans was convicted of burglary Nov. 14 and sentenced to 3 1/2 years in state prison and 3 1/2 years extended supervision.
Beaver is scheduled to go on trial in connection with the crimes Dec. 15.
