News Summary
Mathew Yang, a former employee of Milwaukee Tool, is facing trial for allegedly stealing over $1 million worth of tools through fraudulent orders. His charges stemmed from a police investigation that uncovered an elaborate scheme involving over 100 fake orders made over a year. Yang’s financial patterns, including significant gambling losses and a sudden spike in his bank account, raised suspicions. He is now facing multiple theft charges and remains out on a $50,000 cash bond as legal proceedings continue.
Milwaukee – Former Milwaukee Tool employee Mathew Yang is facing trial for allegedly stealing more than $1 million worth of tools from the company. Yang entered a not guilty plea in court on Monday as he confronts serious theft-related charges. The investigation leading to his charges revealed that over a span of a year, Yang carried out an elaborate scheme to defraud his employer.
The investigation was initiated when a contractor contacted Milwaukee Tool’s customer service regarding an unverified delivery of 9,000 pounds of products to a Wauwatosa apartment. This inquiry prompted a deeper look into Yang’s activities at the company. Detectives soon discovered that the delivery address had connections to Yang’s home, raising suspicions about his involvement.
Upon investigation, it was found that Yang, who had worked in the IT department of Milwaukee Tool, managed to create and delete approximately 115 fraudulent orders between March 2024 and March 2025. Of those fake orders, 109 were successfully delivered, resulting in a staggering financial loss amounting to over $1 million for Milwaukee Tool. Yang allegedly exploited his knowledge of the company’s ordering system to execute the theft.
Further scrutiny revealed that Yang had taken advantage of an employee discount program, potentially using it to ship stolen tools to 33 different addresses. Investigators suspect that he may have been reselling the stolen items directly to customers. A spreadsheet discovered on Yang’s company laptop indicated detailed pricing information, suggesting that he was engaged in a resale operation involving the stolen merchandise.
Yang was removed from his position at Milwaukee Tool in April 2025 following the internal inquiry that revealed the theft. Financial records displayed a marked increase in Yang’s bank account, which soared from a mere $2,000 to over $130,000 within the span of a year. This substantial increase raised further alarm among investigators.
Additionally, police reports indicate that Yang frequently visited casinos over 140 times within that year, where he reportedly lost around $67,000 of his finances. This pattern of gambling may have contributed to his financial behavior that detectives are currently investigating. In connection to the case, law enforcement has frozen one of Yang’s bank accounts containing approximately $140,000 as part of the ongoing investigation.
Yang was arrested and required to post a $50,000 cash bond for his release. He is currently facing multiple theft charges, including allegations of theft of movable property that exceeds various monetary thresholds. The legal proceedings will continue as Yang is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on September 8.
The incident has raised concerns within Milwaukee Tool about security protocols and employee oversight in order processing. As companies increasingly rely on technology for operations, this case highlights potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by insiders.
While the investigation continues and court dates approach, Yang’s case serves as a cautionary tale for businesses regarding the importance of safeguarding their assets and monitoring employee actions closely. Milwaukee Tool is likely to review its practices to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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Additional Resources
- WISN: Former Milwaukee Tool Employee Pleads Not Guilty
- Wikipedia: Theft
- Fox6: Milwaukee Tool Employee Accused
- Google Search: Milwaukee Tool theft
- GMToday: Suspect in $1 Million Tool Thefts
- Google Scholar: Employee Theft Prevention
- Fox6: Milwaukee Tool Theft Charges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Employee Fraud
- GMToday: Former Milwaukee Tool Worker and Stolen Tools
- Google News: Milwaukee Tool theft
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
