(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man is facing six criminal charges after police say he stole Nike shoes from Kohl’s, struck an officer in the face while resisting arrest, and was found with a crack pipe in his pocket.
Mark B. Burns, 57, was charged Monday in Kenosha County Circuit Court with battery to a law enforcement officer, two counts of felony bail jumping, misdemeanor retail theft, resisting an officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Court Commissioner William Michel II set his bail at $10,000 cash, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 8.
According to the criminal complaint, Kohl’s loss prevention reported that on July 25, Burns allegedly took three pairs of Nike shoes worth a combined $245 without paying. Surveillance footage was later used with facial recognition technology to identify Burns, who was already out on bond in another felony retail theft case.
On Aug. 1, a Kenosha police officer spotted Burns at his 53rd Street residence and attempted to arrest him. Police say Burns tensed his muscles, struggled, and then struck the officer in the jaw with the heel of his hand, causing pain that lasted for hours. Officers eventually subdued Burns and found a glass pipe with burn residue on him, which authorities say was consistent with crack cocaine use.
At the time of both the alleged theft and the alleged assault, Burns was on a $750 cash bond from the earlier felony case, with conditions that he not commit new crimes.
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2 Responses
We need to stop using athletic shoes as a form of currency and status.
This guy is a loser. Lock him up. He is a career criminal.