Shopping Spree with Sussex Woman's Credit Card Leads to Charges, Police Say

A Brown Deer teenager is accused of going on a shopping spree at area malls – with a Sussex resident’s credit card.

Daveto L. Wise, 18, was charged Thursday in Waukesha County Court with seven counts of misappropriating identity information to obtain money. If convicted, he faces up to 21 years in prison.

Wise also awaiting sentencing in Milwaukee County for a theft conviction. He pleaded guilty to the theft there and had two counts of armed robbery dismissed in exchange.

According to the criminal complaint:

A Sussex woman reported in late June her wallet was stolen with two credit cars that were used to make purchases at McDonald’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, Zumiez, Finish Line, Foot Action, H&M, Citgo, Hollister and Lids.

Wise and a 17-year-old boy who has not yet been charged were identified as the suspects in the case. The woman’s minor daughter let them into the home without her mother’s consent in late June.

Investigators spoke with another person who had been at the home, who told police he was sorry and that he shouldn’t have been involved. The witness said he, Wise and the 17-year-old boy snuck into the Sussex home with the daughter. The witness told investigators that he saw the 17-year-old boy steal the wallet from the purse, although the witness didn’t stop him.

After they left the Sussex home, they stopped for gas, using the credit card to pay for it, the witness told officers. Later, the credit cards were used to pay for a tank of gas for another friend’s vehicle. After getting gas, the witness said, they purchased $20 in food from McDonald’s.

The witness told officers after McDonald’s they went to Mayfair Mall and Southridge Mall. By the time they arrived to shop at Bayshore Mall, the credit cards were declined.

The witness told authorities they divided the merchandise among the four friends who were involved in the gas purchasing and shopping spree.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and determined Wise was responsible for purchases at the following stores:

• Citgo
• Abercrombie & Fitch
• Hollister
• Zumiez
• Lids
• Finish Line
• Foot Action