Gas Station Bandit Stole Pizza, Snacks and Candy, Police Say

Speedway's slogan touts the gas station's convenience, but a man accused of being a gas station bandit took that to an extreme by ignoring an apparent inconvenience of paying for the items he wanted.

Martin Anthony Herro of Milwaukee was charged in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on March 22, with three counts of misdemeanor retail theft for a series of incidents at area gas stations over the last six weeks. Police say the 52-year-old, who has nearly 30 prior convictions for theft or receiving stolen property, casually stole food, candy and snacks.

According to court documents, police believe Herro first struck Welk’s Gas Station, 8333 W. Layton Ave., on Feb. 11. Herro walked into the store, grabbed a soda and a sub from the Cousins Sub station and walked out. About 15 minutes later, he drove past the gas station window and waved at an employee.

On March 13, Herro came to Speedway Gas Station, 4265 S. 60th St., according to the criminal complaint, carrying a Sendik’s grocery bag. An employee told police he saw Herro place several candy and snack items in the bag and leave the store without paying for them.

That same day, according to the complaint, Herro went to another Speedway, this time the one at the intersection of 60th Street and Layton Avenue. He walked in with his now full Sendik’s bag, put a frozen pizza in the bag and left.

If convicted of all three counts, Herro faces a maximum of six years of imprisonment and $30,000 in fines.

Herro, who was on probation for a prior theft conviction, is due back in court May 6.