GRAFTON — A Milwaukee man is facing felony charges after robbing a home improvement company while brandishing a knife.
Jean Santiago Rosario, 32, is charged in the Ozaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court with one count of armed robbery with threat of force, repeater; one count of felony retail theft — intentionally take (greater than $500 - $5,000), repeater, use of a dangerous weapon; and one count of felony bail jumping, repeater.
According to the criminal complaint, police officers were dispatched to Home Depot in the village of Grafton at approximately 12:48 p.m. June 21 for a report of an in-progress retail theft. They were informed that the suspect brandished a knife toward store employees while passing the last point of sale without paying for a large amount of Milwaukee and DeWalt tools and products.
Police were provided a description of the suspect vehicle, which was then observed exiting the parking lot, the complaint states. One of the officers caught up to the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop but the vehicle did not stop, ultimately getting onto Interstate 43 southbound.
The complaint states the suspect vehicle led officers on a pursuit of approximately 10 miles southbound, during which it was observed driving at a high rate of speed and driving on both the left and right shoulders to get around traffic and elude officers. The pursuit was terminated north of Brown Deer Road due to traffic congestion and construction.
Police were told by store employees that they alerted the store manager about suspicions that a customer was engaged in retail theft, according to the complaint. Employees followed Santiago Rosario — with his cart full of tools — through the store as he walked toward the garden exit area, according to the complaint.
The complaint states the manager and employees took a position near the exit and Santiago Rosario was observed to have a black knife in his hand. It was reported that Santiago Rosario moved the knife in a circular motion, appearing to do so in an attempt to ensure no one stopped him from leaving, and pointed the tip of the knife toward an employee. Santiago Rosario left the store with items of value totaling at $606.45.
Police were given surveillance video of the incident and still photos of Santiago Rosario, including one showing him with a knife in his hand, according to the complaint. Home Depot Loss Prevention also provided a prior booking photo it obtained, as Santiago Rosario was a known suspect who had committed prior retail thefts.
Santiago Rosario was taken into custody on June 27 by the West Milwaukee Police Department, and the Grafton Police Department was able to confirm that it was him who brandished a knife at the store, according to the complaint.
Santiago Rosario was charged with a felony offense of possession of methamphetamine in the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court; he was released from custody with the condition that he doesn’t commit any crimes. He was also convicted in September 2023 of bail jumping-felony in the Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court.
If convicted, Santiago Rosario could face up to 49.5 years in prison and/or fined up to $120,000. The complaint also states that since he has prior convictions, he could face additional years with each count.