Four Charged With Trying to Steal Scrap Metal From DOT Yard

A Brookfield man was among four people caught breaking into a Wisconsin Department of Transportation scrap yard to steal scrap metal Tuesday, and one of suspects fled and tried to hide under a West Allis porch, charges allege.

A theft charge was filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court Friday against each of the four: Matthew David Brown, 18, of Waukesha; Joshua Stephan Plasil, 24, of Milwaukee; Timothy A. Schweigert, 19, of Brookfield; and Nichole C. West, 19, of Waukesha. If convicted, they could each face up to nine months in county jail and $10,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

At 11 p.m. Tuesday, the four went to DOT scrap yard located in the 900 block of South 60^th Street in West Allis. Brown and Plasil jumped the fence and began tossing metal over to Schweigert and West, who loaded it into cars. West Allis police officers arrived at the yard and halted the theft, but Plasil fled.

Police officers were able to track Plasil to a home in the 900 block of South 62^nd Street where he barricaded himself in a crawl space under the porch by holding a door to the area. Eventually officers were able to force the door open and Plasil began to thrash around and hide his arms in an attempt to keep officers from handcuffing him.

West, Brown and Schweigert were free awaiting trial. Plasil was being held in Milwaukee County Jail and also was charged with criminal damage to property.