Man Stole From Girlfriend, Raided Daughter’s Piggy Bank, Police Say

An O’Fallon man was charged with stealing from his girlfriend—including $25 in change from her daughter’s piggy bank—and his baby’s mother.

Matthew Schwidde, 36, of the first block of Piedmont in O’Fallon, was charged Tuesday with two counts of felony stealing and two counts of stealing-related offenses as a third offense in less than 10 years.

O’Fallon Police said between June 15 and July 30, Schwidde stole three firearms, cash, DVDs, a DVD player and video cameras from his girlfriend. Police said he routinely stayed at her home on Tea Party Lane in O’Fallon.

The victim said she gradually noticed things disappearing from her home. She told police she confronted Schwidde about it, and he admitted to stealing everything but the firearms. Later, he said he knew what happened to the handguns, but could not get them back, according to the report.

Police said the mother of Schwidde’s child also loaned him a debit card Sept. 2 so he could buy $10 in gasoline. Instead of getting gas, he went to Bank of America and withdrew $400 from her account, according to court documents. Schwidde then tried to withdraw $600, but the bank had suspended the account.

O’Fallon Police also said he stole a $4 bottle of ibuprofen from the Walmart SuperCenter at 1307 Highway K on Aug. 19. They said he gave it to a friend to return for cash.  He changed his shirt and re-entered the store, and took a DVD valued at $24.99, took it to customer service and tried to return it using a receipt he had found.

Bond was set at $20,000 for the June 15 charge; $15,000 for the Sept. 2 charge; and $10,000 for the Aug. 19 charge.

O’Fallon Police said Schwidde admitted he is a heroin user who has 10 prior felony convictions.

For more crime information on O'Fallon Patch, see the following articles: