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Crime & Safety

Smoking More Than Just a Bad Habit for This Man

Just two months after an area man is caught trying to break into a business to steal cigarettes, he's busted again stealing cigarettes and faces more felony charges.

One Greenfield man may want to consider giving up smoking after he was caught for the second time in months trying to steal cigarettes from an area business.

Joseph J. Erie, 25, was charged in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on Tuesday with one count of retail theft and one count of felony bail jumping. If convicted, he faces up to nearly seven years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

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On Sunday, Greenfield police officers were called to after Erie was spotted by an employee taking two cartons of Newport 100 cigarettes, valued at $135, and trying to walk out of the store with them. He was soon confronted and arrested for the crime.

Erie had been out on bail after being charged in April with by allegedly trying to kick out a glass door, but he was unsuccessful. He later told police he was trying to break into that store because he wanted to steal some cigarettes.

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On Sunday, Erie was also issued citations for allegedly carrying a concealed pocket knife without a permit, allegedly being in possession of 4.5 grams of marijuana and disorderly conduct.

He’s currently being held in Milwaukee County Jail on $250 bond.Β 

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