Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) - A Sheboygan police officer had a hunch that something was awry when he saw a man, and woman pull into an apartment complex Sunday, and just sit there.
A criminal complaint states that Officer Piotr Gordziej was assisting another officer on a call at the Eisner Court Apartments, when the couple pulled into the far end of the parking lot, and remained in the vehicle for several minutes.
Gordziej grew suspicious, and ran a check on the car’s license plates - which came back stolen from Milwaukee. The occupants had not bothered to change the personalized tags on the car, which read MZLEWIS.
Officer Gordziej called for backup when the female driver, identified as Brandy E. Alverez, tried to exit the vehicle. Brandy was questioned about the vehicle, and claimed that she purchased the Honda Accord two weeks ago from, “A friend of her boyfriend’s mother named Tanya Harrison.” However, Brandy could not produce any documentation about the purchase, or provide contact information about "Tanya."
The officer says Brandy further stated that she paid $2000.00 down, and was still making payments on the car. After backup arrived, Brandy’s passenger, (and boyfriend), Brandon Marshall was asked about the vehicle’s origins. Like Brandy, Brandon also claimed the car was purchased from Milwaukee, but Brandon alleges the couple paid $5000.00 for the vehicle, which police note has a Kelly Blue Book value of at least $14,000.00.
Officers reportedly asked Brandon if he was aware of the car’s book value, to which he replied, it seemed a “Tremendously good deal.”
Milwaukee Police confirm that the car was stolen from the real MZLEWIS, Shirley Lewis of Milwaukee.
Both Brandy and Brandon were arrested, and are each facing two felony charges linked to the stolen vehicle. They could face up to ten years in prison for each charge if convicted.