
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
BRISTOL, Wis. — A 28-year-old Kenosha man is facing four criminal charges after authorities say he broke into a church, stole a violin and WiFi device, and used someone else’s credit card to make fraudulent purchases.

(Kenosha County Sheriff)
Victor Daniel Martinez-Rodriguez appeared in court Monday and was formally charged with burglary, identity theft, credit card theft, and misdemeanor theft. Kenosha County Court Commissioner William Michel II set cash bail at $20,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 2.
The charges stem from a string of incidents in August 2024 centered around Southport Baptist Church and a nearby residence in the Village of Bristol.
According to the criminal complaint, church pastor Michael DeLeon reported a burglary after discovering a security camera missing from his office. When he reviewed the footage from a second camera, DeLeon saw a man later identified as Martinez-Rodriguez entering the church around 3 a.m. on August 20 wearing a ski mask and using a phone flashlight. The footage allegedly showed the suspect unplugging the camera before the feed cut out.
A few days later, DeLeon reported that his daughter’s $5,000 violin and a $1,000 bow were missing from the church, along with a $170 WiFi extender. Detectives linked Martinez-Rodriguez to the break-in using surveillance footage, physical characteristics, and tips from social media and local businesses.
On August 20, Kenosha County deputies also responded to a theft complaint at a nearby residence, where a woman reported her wallet had been rifled through in her unlocked car and her Social Security card and Wisely debit card were missing. She soon discovered unauthorized charges at Blackhawk Tobacco and Popeyes Chicken totaling over $75. Surveillance video from Blackhawk Tobacco allegedly showed Martinez-Rodriguez using the stolen card, which matched video from the church break-in.
Investigators ultimately identified Martinez-Rodriguez through a combination of surveillance photos, Crimestoppers tips, and records from a vehicle registered to his girlfriend. A facial recognition match with a booking photo from Ventura County, California reportedly confirmed his identity.
If convicted on all charges, Martinez-Rodriguez faces up to 19 years in prison and $55,000 in fines.
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2 Responses
ICE ICE Baby….
Get a job loser and you won’t need to steal from churches!