Man Accused of Thieving From Area Kmart Stores

A 29-year-old South Milwaukee man is accused of stealing jewelry from Kmart stores across metro Milwaukee.

James Paul Mesich was charged in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on Thursday with one count of felony retail theft. If convicted, he faces up to 1 ½ years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Nov. 25, Hales Corners police officers were called to Kmart, 5600 S. 108th St., after an employee said a man came into the store and asked to try on two $1,500 bracelets to see how he liked them. After getting the items, the woman said the man fled out the door without paying for them.

On Nov. 27, Greenfield police officers were called to Kmart there for a similar shoplifting incident. An employee there said a man came in and asked to look at a bracelet and necklace, then fled out the door without paying for the items, valued at $675. During the course of the investigation the officers learned a similar theft took place at Kmart in Brookfield and the one in Oconomowoc, where Mesich was arrested.

Greenfield police interviewed Mesich who admitted taking the items from the Greenfield store. He said he’s a heroin addict who used $60 worth of the drug per day and he was feeling “sick,” so he stole the items and sold them for $100.

Mesich will make his initial appearance in court Monday.