Legislator visits Milwaukee for GOP Convention, leaves a crime victim



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee this weekend played host to the Republican Convention, and FOX6 News has learned a state lawmaker in town for the convention had his vehicle broken into -- and items stolen. Rep. Bob Kulp of Stratford, Wisconsin is a self-described "country boy" -- who says something like this has never happened to him before.

"Why is there glass in my console? And then I saw the window taken out of the passenger side. It was really kinda a surprise to me -- and then a feeling in the pit of my stomach," Rep. Bob Kulp (R-Stratford) said.

Kulp called Milwaukee police to report his car was broken into while he was in town to talk with other legislators as part of this weekend's GOP Convention.

He may have taken home some good ideas from the convention, but he would not end up taking home all of the electronics he came with -- including a laptop valued at around $1,200.

"My camera and lenses and equipment is about $3,500 and the window is $180," Rep. Kulp said.

Rep. Kulp said he stayed in the Park East Hotel, and parked his 2011 Silverado in the nearby lot.

On Friday, May 2nd, he realized leaving his electronics in his vehicle in plain sight may have caught the eye of a criminal.

"The GPS was probably the glowing light that attracted people to it. It was just a simple oversight on my end as to the need to hide the valuables," Rep. Kulp said.

Despite what happened, Rep. Kulp says he won't hesitate to visit Milwaukee again.

"It could be worse. I'm sure there's a lot worse crime in other bigger cities," Rep. Kulp said.

Rep. Kulp says there's no sensitive information on the stolen laptop. He's not holding out a lot of hope he'll get his property back.