Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) - A Sheboygan teenager is accused of breaking into a garage on N. 6th St. and stealing a World War II, Navy- issued service pistol. The occupant of the home tells Sheboygan police that the pistol, a .32 caliber semiautomatic, belonged to his father who served in the U.S. Navy during the war. The gun was tucked away in a duffel bag, which was inside a car that was parked in the garage.
The homeowner knew that the weapon would be easily identifiable, if found. The pistol grips are embossed with the words “Liberty” and “Alliance”- making the pistol a rare find.
While investigating a separate case, Sheboygan police obtained a tip from a man alleging that 18-year-old Vicente Licea was seen showing off an automatic pistol to friends at a nearby apartment complex. The tipster observed that the weapon appeared to be an antique, and was possibly a WWII gun.
When investigators caught up with Licea, he reportedly admitted that he and a friend had gone “Car Shopping” on the night in question - rummaging through cars for items of value. The criminal complaint states that Licea claims the pair must’ve gone through 8 to 11 cars on July 23 - including the car in which the pistol was found.
Licea told police that he intended to return the gun the next day, but alleges it went missing. However, he later admitted to investigators that the weapon was likely at the bottom of a lake- where he says it was tossed when he learned that police were closing in.
Licea’s alleged car shopping accomplice later led police to the east side of the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge, directing them to an area beneath the bridge where the gun might be located.
Licea was arrested and charged with burglary of a building or dwelling, and theft. The combined charges could land him nearly 20 years in prison, and fines of up to $30,000 - if convicted.