On the run: Former UW-Milwaukee employee accused of stealing from student organizations

MILWAUKEE -- A former University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee employee now faces criminal charges. Police say the suspect, 32-year-old James Wilbur, worked in the student union -- and stole checks and credit cards from his co-workers' desks.

James Wilbur

The criminal complaint says in March, Wilbur stole checks from desks in various student organization offices -- and then cashed them to himself at the UW Credit Union for amounts like $590, $630 and $675.

Samuel Barreto is a student employee who was surprised to learn of thefts in his offices; thefts that targeted student groups like Habitat for Humanity and honor societies.

"These student organizations are here to serve the community and other students and for very unselfish reasons they are here," said Barreto. "They've improved some security measures. They went around asking if anyone had seen or heard anything."

The complaint says Wilbur also stole UW Credit Union charge cards -- and used one for a shopping spree at and near Mayfair Mall. He's also accused of using another credit card to buy airfare on Southwest and Delta Airlines -- and to make hotel reservations in Boston and Los Angeles. Those charges totaled more than $2,500 -- and were made in his own name.

Wilbur has a history of thefts in Wisconsin. Right now, he's a fugitive.

The complaint says Wilbur stopped showing up for work around the time the thefts occurred. A university spokesperson tells FOX6 News, "Our goal is to get the money taken from our student organizations returned."