SILVER LAKE, Wis. – A Silver Lake couple is facing felony charges after an alleged robbery at a BP gas station last December, in what authorities say was a brazen attempt to steal a donation box for spare change.
Kelly M. Stankus, 49, and her live-in boyfriend Jason G. Strelow, 49, were both criminally charged on May 27. Stankus is charged with armed robbery with threat of force, a Class C felony carrying up to 40 years in prison, and misdemeanor theft. Strelow is charged with harboring or aiding a felon, a Class G felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Both are due in Kenosha County Circuit Court for their initial appearances on June 26.
According to the criminal complaints, the robbery occurred on the night of December 3, 2024, at the BP station located at 25921 Wilmot Road in the Village of Salem Lakes. The cashier told deputies that a person dressed in all black, later identified as Stankus, entered the store wearing a ski mask and gloves and demanded money from the register. When the cashier refused, Stankus allegedly grabbed a donation box for The Sharing Center and fled on foot.
Surveillance footage from the gas station and nearby businesses showed the suspect walking to the station and running away moments later. Deputies tracked her path to the Pizza Time parking lot, where the trail went cold—until security footage revealed a waiting white Chevrolet Traverse.
Investigators later matched that vehicle to Strelow and traced it to their shared address. In a confession to detectives, Stankus admitted the robbery was her idea, saying she needed gas money and had Strelow drive her to the BP. She claimed Strelow was unaware of the plan until she put on a ski mask. Stankus estimated she got about $10 from the donation jar.
Strelow also admitted to driving Stankus, stating he thought she was going into Kelly’s Pub to borrow money from a friend. When she returned with the mask on and the donation box in hand, he said he realized what had happened. He told investigators that he drove her away from the scene and later watched her toss the donation box into the Fox River. Strelow said he didn’t report the incident out of fear of getting in trouble and admitted to briefly covering part of the SUV’s license plate with a napkin to avoid detection.
Authorities confirmed the box likely contained $20–30, based on statements from The Sharing Center. Despite the small haul, prosecutors say the manner of the crime—complete with disguises and an implied weapon—warrants serious charges.
Stankus and Strelow were both 48 years old at the time of the alleged robbery. They are now 49.
.
.
.
.
14 Responses
This is bad but, 40 years bad? Predators get 10. Stealing 40 years?
And then, they r both in on it, both stand to benefit, one empowered the other and two together scared the living daylights out if the clerk and there us a fkn difference of 30 years. Wisc is fkd up.
Indeed
Yep, you are correct sex offenders get less time than that!
No sentence has been given, so how can you be making stupid statements about who got more time on their sentence? When you pile up every possible charge that could be issued and tally up the maximum if guilty has been found in a trial for all of them, you will always come up with a huge number compared to what will invariably come down. Smart district attorney’s pile on everything legally possible and provable, and this gives them more leverage for a plea deal after a not guilty plea has been made by the, “suspects turned defendants”.
“All th charges”can be summed up with A charge. Must still live in the P’s basement 🤷
They are career criminals. After a while, something needs to be done. Druggies will do anything for drug money. Next time they might kill someone.
Many people who read things on Facebook are also f***** up, they don’t even have the ability to comprehend the difference between a possible sentence and a, “handed-down after a trial and guilty finding” sentence.
Yay
These people belong in an institution for a very long, long time. At least 20 years with no good time and probation the remainder of life! YES
But it’s too bad the system won’t do it and will probably dismiss 80% of the charges!
Im not sticking up for her, but this is unlike her, she was in a struggle she tried to get help for food but only was able to get so much, as for the guy he isn’t her BF, and he also had no clue of what she was going to do, she made a mistake
No its not unlike her. She’s been stealing for years. She can’t hold a job for the other guy he knows damn well what she’s doing. If you can’t get enough food stamps wouldn’t it make sence to get a job. And ya they are best friends her and her husband have known him for years. Maybe they need to give up the drugs and alcohol and gambling
Yes, this is very much like her. She might’ve been struggling for food, but she has done nothing to help. Her family out has not had a job in years and stealing and lying has become her thing. She has a gambling problem amongst other things and I know this because I’m family
She needs to sit in jail and get her shit straight. I don’t feel bad for her at all. Maybe if she got a fckn job and what not. Even if she does go to jail what makes you think once she gets out she won’t go back to stealing to feed her habits.
Sentence the drug addict she could have hurt someone …… hopefully there won’t be a next time and check out the help she needs…..