Teenage girl accused of stealing from registered sex offender

RACINE (WITI) -- 16-year-old Ashley Haigh of Sturtevant faces multiple charges for allegedly stealing money, an SUV and a puppy from a Racine man who happens to be a registered sex offender.

Haigh is charged with felony theft from a person, operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent, felony theft of moveable property and misdemeanor theft.

According to the criminal complaint against Haigh, she met up with a 35-year-old Racine man on Sunday, December 2nd after initially striking up a relationship online.

The alleged victim in this case is a registered sex offender in Racine. He told police he thought Haigh was 19 years old -- and because of that, the two of them agreed to meet.

The complaint indicates Haigh was dropped off at the alleged victim's home. During the visit, the alleged victim fell asleep. When he awoke, he was missing $600 that had been in the front pocket of his jeans, the keys to his Chevy Suburban and the SUV itself were gone, and his pit bull puppy was also missing.

The alleged victim called police who were later able to located Haigh, the vehicle and the dog.

"Some of the officers and investigators in this case texted the suspect in this incident. She indicated where she left the vehicle, we recovered that for the victim," said Sgt. Martin Pavilonis of the Racine Police Department.

According to the criminal complaint, Haigh's father told police he "hopes we are going to arrest her as it may be the only way to get her the help she needs."

As for the sex offender, police found no evidence he did anything illegal.

"The officers also went through and checked and made sure he was compliant in other ways as well. To this point, there's no indication there was any sexual contact between them to this point," said Sgt. Pavilonis.

If convicted on these charges, Haigh faces up to ten years in prison and $25,000 in fines.

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