Burglary suspect steals Chucky doll from consignment shop, causes thousands in damage

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) – A local consignment store is left with several thousand dollars in damages following a break-in Sunday evening.

The suspect got away with an iconic item that the owner estimates to be worth about $30.

Surveillance video shows the moment when a suspect breaks a front window, knocks over shelves of collectibles, and snatches a Chucky doll that was hanging from the ceiling.

“They came with a mission”, says Gabriel Panta, owner of Albella Bargain Store. “I had a Chucky doll hanging right there on the ceiling. They broke the door, the window; they pulled down my stand, and made a lot of damage just for a $20-$30 toy.”

The suspect left behind a several thousand dollar price tag worth in damages.

The store sells various knick-knacks and even high-end collectibles. The burglary took place Sunday evening around 5:15 p.m..

“I’m disgusted,” says Panta. “It’s like my life right here. I built something I like and I wake up for every morning – to make a nice store for this community.”

Panta has run his shop for the past six years on Oklahoma Avenue.

Lately, he says, he’s dealt with a number of shoplifting incidents that have not helped the business.

“What happened yesterday, I think it might be my last full year in business,” says Panta. “We’ll see what will happen.”

Panta says December is his busiest time of the year. He’s not sure if he’ll press charges, but he says he hopes that person turns themselves in.