Drug addict charged with 'car shopping' at elementary school

Published on: 7/23/2013

A 19-year-old Waukesha man was charged Tuesday with allegedly stealing items from cars parked at Summit View Elementary School. He was arrested March 25 breaking into his parents' house, at 2019 Norton Ave.

Sean M. Litzau was charged July 16 with two counts burglary of a building and three counts misdemeanor theft. He could face more than 27 years in prison and $80,000 in fines if convicted.

According to the criminal complaint:

Waukesha City Police were dispatched Feb. 19 to Summit View Elementary School, 2100 Summit Ave., after receiving reports of a theft.

The Zipfels reported on March 19 that their home had been burglarized, with almost $4,000 in electronics and jewelry stolen. The Zipfels said they suspected their son was the culprit.

Kristine Bennett reported March 21 she had caught a man breaking into her car at the school. The man escaped with several items, including Bennett's iPod and GPS navigation unit.

Four days later, police were again dispatched to the Zipfel home on reports of a robbery in progress. Litzau was arrested exiting the house from a rear window with a garbage bag. Police found in his vehicle the iPod stolen from Bennett, as well as two GPS units.

Litzau admitted to the crimes saying he did it to feed a drug habit.

His preliminary hearing is Sept. 6.