Two Charged in Scrap Metal Theft

A Sussex woman and a Waukesha man are facing charges after they were caught stealing scrap metal from an area manufacturer.

Erli N. Lala, 21, of Sussex, and Robert L. Orrey, 41, of Waukesha, were charged in Wednesday with one count of misdemeanor theft. If convicted, they could face up to nine months in prison and $10,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Dec. 18, police were called to Husco International, 2239 Pewaukee Road, after a security guard noticed someone had stolen nearly $700 worth of metal from a dumpster. Police examined surveillance video footage of the theft and found Orrey’s truck at the scene.

Police then went ot Orrey’s house where he admitted to taking the metal with Lala after they had been driving around. Lala said Orrey pulled up to the business and then began to put metal blocks in the bed of the truck, then yelled at her to help him.

Orrey and Lala will make their initial appearance in court March 5.