12-23-13 obit burglar convicted in fdl shoplifting incident

A Sheboygan Falls man accused of using obituary notices to commit burglaries in Sheboygan County has copped a plea in connection with a shoplifting incident at Mills Fleet Farm in Fond du lac.  Sixty three year old Dennis Petrie pleaded no contest to  felony bail jumping and a charge of retail theft was dismissed and read into the record.  Fond du Lac Judge Richard Nuss sentenced Petrie to 90 days in jail plus court costs.  Because Petrie has already served 64 days in jail and credited with good time, he will be released from jail Monday.   According to a criminal complaint Petrie tried to  shoplift  two LED flashlight bulbs by removing them from a package and placing them in his mouth before leaving the store.  In Sheboygan County Petrie faces more than 30 charges including theft and burglary.  He is accused of using obituary notices and estate sale listings to burglarize homes of people who had recently died and  burglarizing homes of former co-workers and people on vacation.