6 indicted in alleged Milwaukee truck theft scheme

MILWAUKEE (AP) — At least two of the six men facing federal charges in an alleged scheme to steal truckloads of merchandise in the Milwaukee area and transport the goods to other states for sale will plead not guilty.

Attorneys for 53-year-old Mario Rosales and 48-year-old Leonilo Tirse, both of Hialeah, Fla., say their clients will formally deny the charges.

U.S. Attorney James L. Santelle for the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced the indictment Tuesday, alleging the theft of truckloads of Nike shoes, Pepsi, fruit snacks and other items.

The vehicles and property are estimated to be worth $1.3 million.

In addition to Rosales and Tirse, four Wisconsin men were also indicted — Jose Rosales, 51, of West Allis; Oliver Castillo, 33, and Felix Cotto-Alomar, 37, both of Milwaukee; and Jeffrey Meyers, 35, of Waukesha.