Good Samaritan Repaid by Having Her Stuff Stolen, Police Say

A 42-year-old Milwaukee man is facing charges after he allegedly ripped off a Greenfield woman helping him try to get his life together.

Benjamin Flores was charged in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on Monday with one count of theft of more than $2,500. If convicted, he faces up to 3 ½ years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

A woman living in the 4800 block of South 122nd Street had known Flores for a long time and was letting him stay with her rent-free to help him out. He took off suddenly Aug. 8, but before he left, Flores decided to repay the woman’s kindness by taking her Menard’s credit card, steam cleaner, boom box and three iPods.

The victim then discovered Flores made 32 different purchases with the credit card at various Speedway locations, for a loss of $2,534. The victim saw Flores making the purchases on surveillance video footage and went looking for him but was unsuccessful.

Flores had also stolen from another person trying to help him out, but that woman kicked him out after he stole from her.

Flores is currently out of custody and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.