Obituary Burglar Charged In FDL County

The 63-year-old Sheboygan Falls man known as the “obituary burglar” is facing shoplifting charges in Fond du Lac County for alleged stealing from the Mills Fleet Farm in Fond du Lac. Dennis Petrie made an initial appearance on the retail theft and bail jumping charges in Fond du Lac County Court last Friday. His bond was set at $15,000 cash. According to the criminal complaint he removed two LED flashlight bulbs from their packaging and placed them in his mouth before he left the store. Thirty-one charges are pending against him in Sheboygan County. Last April he was sentenced to 4 years in prison and 4 years of extended supervision, but the sentence was stayed due to a pending appeal. Authorities say Petrie would allegedly read about estate sales in the newspaper and then go to those locations at night and steal things from the homes.  He has a preliminary hearing in the Fond du Lac County case this Friday afternoon.