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Crime & Safety

Charges Issued In 2010 Burglary and Arson of Gastrau's Golf Center

Andre Ruffin allegedly stole golf items and then lit the Oak Creek business on fire.

More than a year and a half after Gastrau's Golf Center was burglarized and set on fire, a 48-year-old Milwaukee man has been charged in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

Andre Ruffin was charged Saturday with one count of burglary and one count of arson. If convicted, he faces up to 52 years in prison and $125,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint, Ruffin and another person broke into , 1300 E. Rawson Ave., on May 14, 2010. They allegedly stole items out of the pro shop and then spread accelerant around the business.

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Surveillance video caught Ruffin and the other person partaking in the act, according to the complaint. Blood was found at the scene and was later revealed to be Ruffin's, the complaint said.

But it wouldn't be until Nov. 23 of this year when police got a major break in the case. A Milwaukee bar owner contacted police and said he remembered someone coming into his bar in July 2010 and trying to sell golf equipment, according to the complaint. He was kicked out by the owner because he doesn’t allow people to sell in his establishment.

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After looking at an array of photographs, the bar owner was able to identify Ruffin as the man selling the golf equipment, according to the complaint.

Ruffin is currently being held in Milwaukee County Jail on $7,500 cash bail.

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