Police say a man stole his brother’s bank card to buy drugs, then stole a youth league’s three-wheeler.
Corey J. Gruetzmacher, 22, New London, is charged with burglary, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, criminal damage to property, credit card theft and five counts of credit card fraud.
On Oct. 18, Gruetzmacher’s brother told New London police his debit card had been stolen and used to withdraw cash without his permission.
Two days later, Sgt. Earl Ruckdashel questioned Gruetzmacher about the stolen card.
According to the criminal complaint, Gruetzmacher admitted to taking the card, withdrawing $60 in cash from the ATM at Kwik Trip North and buying drugs. He could not remember much of what else happened that day.
Kwik Trip provided investigators with information about the card’s use. In addition to balance inquiries on Oct. 17, the card was used to withdraw $160 from the brother’s account. Another $11 was used to purchase a $1 lottery ticket and receive $10 back in cash.
At 12:47 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, New London police were dispatched to Kwik Trip North in response to a gas drive-off involving a three-wheeler. Gruetzmacher was the suspected driver.
When Officer Jeremy Mulroy arrived at the store, dispatch advised that the three-wheeler had been seen traveling north on Shawano Street from Highway 54.
New London Police Sgt. Todd Sarazin, who was traveling south on Shawano Street, spotted the three-wheeler stopped at the south curb of Northridge Drive. He recognized the driver as Gruetzmacher, who then drove across Shawano Street east on Northridge Drive.
Sarazin activated his emergency lights and siren, following Gruetzmacher into Crystal Falls parking lot.
Gruetzmacher stopped and got off the vehicle, knelt down on the grass and placed his hands behind his back.
Sarazin handcuffed Gruetzmacher, who reportedly said he just needed a fix.
Police say Gruetzmacher did not know whose three-wheeler he was operating. He said he had been operating it for hours and did some “gas and goes.”
Officers traced the vehicle identification number back to its owner. They learned the three-wheeler had been donated to the youth baseball league and stored in a garage at Pfeifer Park.