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Brothers busted for shoplifting

Older sibling faces felony charge

Police say two brothers from Burlington were caught leaving a store with nearly $1,500 in stolen merchandise.

Jason R. Bennett, 32, is charged with retail theft, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and obstructing an officer.

Russell W. Bennett, 29, is charged with retail theft.

On Oct. 26, Sgt. Darold Krueger, with the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office, and Waupaca Police Officer Tom Grant were dispatched to Fleet Farm for a shoplifting complaint.

The store’s loss prevention officer said two men concealed merchandise under their clothes and exited the store without paying.

The men were followed out to the parking lot and asked to return.

According to the criminal complaint, one of the men allegedly had a drill combo, battery, circuit breaker, sheath, leather boots and hooded jacket worth $673.

The other man allegedly had a pistol magazine, tool kit, marine items, LED lights, cordless drill, batteries, belt, shirt and two hats worth $810.

Initially, Jason identified himself as “Timothy Bennett” and his true identity was later determined at the jail, the complaint says. Officers also learned he was on probation and Racine County had issued a warrant for his arrest.

While still at Fleet Farm, Jason said he was concerned for a dog that was inside his car.

Krueger went to the vehicle, where he found a Doberman.

He also saw the grip of a handgun tucked between the driver’s seat and the center console.

Jason reportedly told Krueger that he kept a BB gun in the car for shooting squirrels, but a search later found it was a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun, the complaint says.

Inside the center console, police found a .38-caliber handgun.

Jason Bennett was convicted of felony delivery of heroin in September 2010. He was sentenced to five years in prison and five years of extended supervision.

Jason is currently in the Waupaca County Jail on a probation hold. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of felon in possession of a firearm.

Russell Bennett was released on a $1,000 signature bond. If convicted of retail theft, he could serve a maximum of nine months in jail.

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