Man Arrested After Car Break-In; Faces Felony

A 22-year-old Oak Creek man was arrested following an alleged car break-in and now faces a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

Mark M. Schweiner Jr. could face up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines if convicted of the charge. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday.

Schweiner came to the attention of Oak Creek police in the overnight hours July 18 when a 55-year-old resident called to report a man attempting to break into a vehicle in his driveway on Randy Road.

According to the logbook, police arrived and found Schweiner with his hands in the air and the homeowner with a gun, which was not pointed at Schweiner. The gun was placed on the ground and later returned to its owner.

Police later detained Schweiner on charges of resisting/obstructing an officer, drug paraphernalia, receiving stolen property, burglary and a probation violation, according to the logbook.

Officers searched his apartment in the 9200 block of S. Orchard Park Circle and found a .22 caliber pistol hidden under a mattress and a box of .22 caliber cartridges to go with the gun.

When confronted about the gun, Schweiner said it was left under a seat in a vehicle and after the owner didn't ask for it back, he considered it "free money" and planned to sell it on the street.

He's currently being held in Milwaukee County Jail on $5,000 bond.