Heroin, Scrap Metal and Mouse Traps Dot Muskego Man's Arrest Story

James Kurer, 24, of Muskego was charged in Waukesha County Court with one count each of theft, possession of narcotic drugs and drug paraphernalia after reports state he was caught stealing scrap metal from a business in New Berlin.

According to the criminal complaint:

An officer on patrol on Sept. 30, 2012 around 1 p.m. saw Kurer parked near dumpsters at ABB Incorporated. In speaking with the officer, Kurer admitted to stealing scrap metal. He also explained the vehicle wasn't his, but he had permission to use it.

Upon a search of the vehicle, the officer also found a syringe with green liquid on the front seat, which the defendant told police was heroin, and a spoon and cotton ball with burnt residue on it, all items that are normally used in injecting heroin. A metal socket with burnt "chore boy" material was also found, with the officer indicating that these are common materials used in smoking crack cocaine.

The trunk also contained cotton balls, a blue arm band, a vial of narcan and syringes, which were later determined to be that of the vehicle's owner, Charles Bennetts.

Bennetts confirmed he gave Kurer permission to use the car, and explained that the two were at a dealer's house earlier that day to buy $20 in crack cocaine, and also obtained heroin in exchange for laying out mouse traps at the dealer's home.

Kurer faces a maximum penalty of $20,500 in fines and approximately four and a half years in prison or both if convicted.