MILWAUKEE -- Two men criminally charged in a case involving numerous thefts of tires and rims targeting Honda Fit vehicles in downtown Milwaukee have been sentenced to probation. Prosecutors say both of the men admitted to the crimes, with one telling investigators he stole the tires and rims to sell on Facebook "because he needed money."





Randy Rivera





19-year-old Randy Rivera of Milwaukee on June 27th pleaded guilty to one count of theft of movable property, less than $2,500.



He was then sentenced to serve nine months in the House of Correction with Huber for work and school, with credit for three days time served.



That sentence was stayed, and Rivera was instead placed on probation for a year -- with 20 days conditional time in the House of Correction, with Huber release for work and school. He was ordered to report by June 30th.





Erick Rosado-Cruz





The other man charged in this case, 23-year-old Erick Rosado-Cruz of Milwaukee on June 30th pleaded guilty to four charges: three counts of theft of movable property, less than $2,500, as party to a crime, penalties for misdemeanors Class A -- and one count of attempted theft of movable property, greater than $2,500 to $5,000 as party to a crime.



He was sentenced to serve nine months in the House of Correction on each charge, to be served concurrently.



That sentence was stayed, and Rosado-Cruz was instead placed on probation for two years and six months -- with 100 days conditional time in the House of Correction, with Huber release for work, school and childcare. He was ordered to report by June 30th.



According to a criminal complaint, early on March 9th, police were dispatched to the Astor Hotel after a caller reported suspects were taking the tires off of a vehicle in the parking lot before fleeing the scene. A Honda Fit was located at the scene -- on cinder blocks. All four tires had been removed, with the lug nuts still on the ground.



The caller reported he was watching the security cameras, which showed three suspects ducking down by the vehicle's tires. The cameras showed the tires placed against a tree while one of the suspects ran to get a vehicle -- loading the tires into that vehicle and taking off.





Randy Rivera





Investigators were able to get the license plate of that vehicle, and learned it was listed to Erick Rosado-Cruz.



The complaint notes that the estimated value of the four tires and rims was $3,729.



Prosecutors say Rosado-Cruz, Rivera and a juvenile were identified as suspects in "numerous tire/rim thefts in Milwaukee and St. Francis."



Rivera was interviewed on April 12th. The complaint indicates Rivera told investigators he and Rosado-Cruz "had been caught by St. Francis police in March for stealing tires and rims off a Honda Fit." Rivera said after he was cited, he "decided to stop participating in the thefts." He said he believed Rosado-Cruz continued to commit the crimes, and made attempts to sell the stolen rims.



Prior to "getting caught by St. Francis police," Rivera told investigators he had committed at least four, but not more than 10 tire and rim thefts -- specifically targeting Honda Fit vehicles in Milwaukee's downtown between November 2016 and February 2017. Rivera said he, Rosado-Cruz and the juvenile were present during these crimes, the complaint says. He later said there were "approximately 16 thefts of tires and rims from Honda Fits in downtown Milwaukee," and "Rosado-Cruz was responsible for probably all of them."






Prosecutors say Rivera told investigators they targeted Honda Fit vehicles because "the tires fit on many different cars, and they could fit four tires in the trunk and backseat of Rosado-Cruz's Corolla."



Rivera said Rosado-Cruz was the "ringleader," and said he didn't know what happened to the tires after they were stolen, but he did say Rosado-Cruz apparently wanted to sell them on Facebook. He said the thefts were committed at night "because most people were asleep." Rivera said Rosado-Cruz and the juvenile would jack up the vehicles and loosen the lug nuts, as he served as a lookout. Then, all three of them would roll the tires back to Rosado-Cruz's vehicle, taking them to Rosado-Cruz's house.





Rosado-Cruz was arrested on April 14th. The complaint indicates he admitted to his involvement in "six to seven incidents," and admitted to stealing tires and rims from Honda Fits and also a Toyota Corolla and Toyota Highlander. He identified Rivera and the juvenile through booking photos, and told investigators they were also involved. Rosado-Cruz said he "sold the tires and rims through Facebook for $150 to $200." He said this all began in the middle of February because he "needed money."