Muskego Man Caught Wrapping Video Games in Foil at Walmart

A Muskego man is facing charges after he was caught stealing video games from by wrapping them in tinfoil to thwart store security sensors.

Michael P. Mueller, 25, was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Thursday with two counts of retail theft. If convicted, he faces up to 18 months in prison and $20,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Feb. 25, police were called to Walmart for a theft in progress and when they arrived store staff pointed out Mueller walking through the parking lot with his hands in his pockets. The officer told him to stop, but Mueller continued walking.

The officer again commanded Mueller to stop, which he did, but refused to take his hands out of his pockets. Fearing Mueller had a weapon, the officer pulled his firearm and Mueller eventually complied.

Mueller continued to give resistive tension as the officer tried to take hold of him and eventually several video games wrapped in foil fell out of his jacket. Mueller told the officer he took nine games from the store and wrapped them in foil after a friend told him it would stop security sensors from working.

Walmart security officers said they were very familiar with Mueller, saying he stole $3,000 in video games from the store.

Mueller will make his initial appearance in court June 11.