Two Milwaukee Men Charged In Store Meat Counter Raids

A Milwaukee man has apparently struck a plea deal on charges that he joined other men in raiding suburban grocery stores where they stole hundreds of dollars in food. Thirty-six-year-old Curtis Smith has a plea and sentencing hearing November ninth on one charge of misdemeanor retail theft. A second defendant, 19-year-old Jaquan Rich, is due back in court next Thursday on three retail theft counts. Police say several groups of men swarmed meat counters at grocery stores in West Allis this month, often carrying hundreds of dollars of merchandise in their arms. Officials say at least three others were involved but only Smith and Rich are charged. Rich reportedly told police he wanted to buy new clothes with the steaks he stole as barter.