Son Accused of Stealing Mom's Car

A 27-year-old Mount Pleasant man is accused of breaking into his mother's house, taking her spare keys, then going to her work and taking her car.

Anthony J. Monfeli was charged in Racine County Circuit Court Thursday with one count of attempted burglary and one count of operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent. If convicted, he faces up to nine years in prison and $35,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint at 5:16 p.m. Wednesday, a woman living in the 1400 block of Meadowbrook Boulevard contacted the Mount Pleasant Police Department after she had discovered her car was missing and someone had stolen her spare set of keys. The woman suspected her son in the theft after she had learned from her other son that Monfeli had been at the home during the day and had called her asking to use the car, but she told him no.

The defendant then asked his brother for a ride to a job opportunity, but the brother said he noticed Monfeli smelled of alcohol. He told Monfeli to leave, which he eventually did, but the defendent took a spare set of keys on the way out. Reports indicate the defendant then went to Wheaton Franciscan Hospital where his mom works and took the car.

Monfeli's brother also told officers he later received a text message saying Monfeli left the car on Spring Valley Drive, where it was recovered by officers. They went to Monfeli's home and while an officer was knocking on the front door, he spotted Monfeli trying to flee out the back door, but he was arrested. Officers reported they found Chore Boy inside Monfeli's pocket, which is often used to smoke crack cocaine.

Monfeli is currently being held in Racine County Jail on $2,500 bond while awaiting trial.