Quirky & Strange Crimes in Wisconsin

When most people think of crime in Wisconsin, their minds jump to infamous names like Ed Gein or Jeffrey Dahmer. But not every headline in the Badger State is about grisly murders or organized crime. Some are so bizarre, petty, or downright hilarious that they seem pulled from a dark comedy rather than a police report. From cheese thefts to lawn decoration bandits, Wisconsin has seen its share of strange criminal cases that leave people scratching their heads. Here is a list of our favorites!

• The Great Cheese Heist (2016)

  • In Germantown, thieves stole a semi-truck filled with $70,000 worth of parmesan cheese. The truck was eventually found, but the cheese had vanished.

  • Wisconsin being “America’s Dairyland,” made this crime almost symbolic.

• The Pickle Jar Robbery (2014)

  • In Madison, a man was arrested for trying to rob a Subway restaurant with a large pickle jar. He smashed the jar on the counter, demanding cash, but employees chased him out.

• Man Arrested for Stealing… Butter (2012)

  • A Sheboygan man was caught breaking into a neighbor’s home to steal sticks of butter. He admitted to police he had an “uncontrollable craving.”

• The Christmas Lawn Bandit (2008)

  • In Milwaukee, a thief went around neighborhoods stealing inflatable holiday lawn decorations, then re-displayed them in his own yard like trophies.

• The “Poop Bandit” of Fond du Lac (2014–2016)

  • For two years, an unknown individual smeared human feces on dozens of cars in Fond du Lac. Despite police investigations and surveillance, the “bandit” was never identified.

• The Frozen Alligator Case (2010)

  • In Racine, police discovered a dead, frozen alligator in a man’s garage freezer. He claimed he was keeping it as a “pet project.” Possessing alligators is illegal in Wisconsin.

• The Cheese Spray Vandal (2009)

  • In Sheboygan, a 35-year-old man was arrested for repeatedly breaking into homes and covering belongings with spray cheese and ketchup. Motive was never explained.

• Stolen Skulls at a Cemetery (2015)

  • In Janesville, thieves broke into a mausoleum and stole human skulls from graves. The crime shocked the community, and some of the remains were later recovered.