Police: Man Says He Stole Steaks and Vodka Because 'Times are Tough'

A 58-year-old Racine man is facing theft charges after Caledonia police say he stole two bottles of pricey vodka one day from Pick 'n' Save and then went back the next day for Porterhouse steaks.

Ivan Robinson was charged Monday in Racine County Circuit Court with two counts of misdemeanor retail theft and two counts of felony bail jumping, repeater. If convicted, he faces up to 13-1/2 years in prison and/or up to $40,000 in fines.

The bail jumping charges stem from charges filed against Robinson in January for possession of a firearm by a felon. He was out of jail on a $500 cash bond, a condition of which includes not committing new crimes.

According to the criminal complaint, Caledonia police were called to Pick 'n' Save, 5111 Douglas Avenue, Friday for a report of retail theft. Store personnel showed officers video surveillance showing a man dressed all in black taking two two, 1.75-liter bottles of Ketel One vodka and concealing them in his coat. Each bottle was valued at $43.99. 

A witness told officers they confronted the man - later identified as Robinson - but he ran out of the store and got into white Oldsmobile Cutlass. Police were given the license plate number and state records indicate the registration came back as the car belonging to Robinson, the complaint reads.

The next day, the defendant returned to the store, this time wearing a distinct brown coat with orange lining. He is seen in the meat department tucking packages of Porterhouse steak into his coat. The total worth of the meat was $47.14, police say.

When officers located Robinson at the Riverside Inn and took him into custody, the brown and orange coat was in his room, police reports read. During his interview later that night, Robinson reportedly admitted to taking the vodka and the steak, telling police he keeps the steak in a special storage area he uses for hard times. He said he did it because "times are tough."

Robinson remains in the Racine County Jail on a $500 cash bond. He will next be in court for a preliminary hearing on May 15 for a preliminary hearing.