SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - The owner of a stolen Xbox had a good idea who was responsible for stealing it. It would take a few subpoenas and interviewing several people to confirm the owner’s hunch. It all lead to Sheboygan County prosecutors charging 19 year old Robert Dayton of Elkhart Lake Wednesday with one count of burglary.
The criminal complaint states Sheboygan Police were called to investigate a burglary at a home on the 1200 block of Ashland Avenue October 18. The home’s resident noticed an Xbox One gaming system, plus controllers and charging cables, were taken.
With no forced entry to the home, the resident suspected his ex-stepson Dayton. He told investigators he kicked out Dayton at the end of August, and believed Dayton used a key, either by making a copy or finding his spare, to get inside.
A police detective began their search for the Xbox by getting subpoenas to trace its use on the internet. That led to a residence on the 1000 block of Broadway Avenue.
The detective talked to the two female residents, and one said they remembered her boyfriend Nathan and his brother Tanner were sold an Xbox One by someone named Jordan. She added Tanner took it to his apartment at South 25th Street and Broadway Avenue.
The detective searched the apartment and was able to find the stolen gaming items. When interviewed, Tanner said he thought the gaming system was brand new.
The detective soon interviewed Jordan, and he shared how he got a hold of the Xbox. He reportedly said he was with Dayton the night the Ashland Avenue home was burglarized. Jordan said Dayton left for a half-hour, and returned with the gaming system. The next day Dayton wanted to sell it, and Jordon found Nathan and Tanner as buyers.
Eventually, detectives got a chance to interview Dayton. He reportedly admitted to the burglary, saying he went to his ex-stepdad’s house through an unlocked door and only decided then to take the gaming items. He also confirmed he gave the items to Jordan to sell. Dayton did deny taking any of the other items reported stolen.
Dayton now faces over twelve years in prison if found guilty.