Couple With Automatic Handgun Try to Stop Car From Being Towed

A Sussex couple is facing charges after they tried to stop a tow truck driver from repossessing their car while one of them was holding a automatic handgun.

Michele M. Degaro, 44, and Ricky L. Degaro, 47, were charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Tuesday with one count of disorderly conduct and one count of carrying a concealed weapon. If convicted, she faces up to 90 days in jail and he faces up to one year in prison.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Aug. 31, a tow truck driver for repo company went to the couple’s apartment complex in the N5900 block of Maple Avenue to seize their Dodge Charger. While trying to take the car, the couple confronted the driver, then Michele Degaro began to try and un-strap the truck from the car and Ricky Degaro jumped into the car holding the gun in his left hand. The driver then ran from the scene and contacted the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department while Degaro kept trying to back the car off of the tow truck, causing the tires to squeal.

When deputies arrived, Michele Degaro ran up to the deputy and refused to go back into her apartment, so the officer placed her in handcuffs. Ricky Degaro was still in the car and eventually came out and was also handcuffs.

The deputy found a loaded .38 caliber automatic handgun with Degaro at the time.

The couple will make their initial appearance in court Oct. 1.