BURLINGTON - Three men have been arrested in connection to a Feb. 13 burglary at a Milwaukee Avenue tattoo shop, and city police say they are pleased that most of the stolen items have been recovered.

Based on an anonymous tip, information supplied from the Town of Burlington Police Department, as well as evidence collected at the scene of the burglary, city officers served a search warrant Tuesday afternoon at a Market Street apartment. There, three people were taken into custody. A fourth suspect turned himself in on Thursday.

The Racine County District Attorney has filed charges against three of the suspects. Steven K. Johnson, 18, 357 E. Market St., Burlington, is charged with three counts of burglary and one count of criminal damage to property. Jacob A. Maerzke, 18, 8528 17th Ave., Kenosha, is facing one count of burglary, as is Matthew D. Reiherzer, also of the Kenosha address.

Police are also recommending charges of being party to a burglary against a 19-year-old Town of Spring Prairie man, who was the alleged getaway driver.

Police allege that Johnson, Maerzke and Reiherzer broke into Fat Daddyz Tats, 841 Milwaukee Ave. (Highway 36) some time before 11 p.m. on Feb. 13. The suspects allegedly took away such items as digital cameras, tattoo guns, ink and needles, a computer, Xbox system, a Playstation 3 system and approximately 200 body piercing devices. Approximately 95 percent of the contraband has been recovered, city Police Investigator Rodney Thurin said Friday.

Johnson is facing three counts because he allegedly admitted entering the building three times, including once after the suspects had returned to the apartment.

Part of the information police received that helped close the case were rumors of tattooing being done from an apartment. Thurin said Town of Burlington Police Officer Randy Nelson also shared that information which helped city police secure the search warrant.

Other evidence collected at the scene included tire and shoe prints in the snow and a knife that police said was used in the break-in.

Thurin said that he and lead investigator Detective Sgt. Dave Krupp worked persistently on leads since the break-in. Patrol officers also pitched in while making their rounds, conducting such research as checking cars for matching tire tracks.

Thurin said police received testimony from several juveniles who received tattoos at the apartment, including at a "tattoo party" that Johnson allegedly told police occurred at the apartment.

Thurin said detectives received assistance in the case from staff at the state Department of Health and Family Services, which oversees required licensing of tattoo artists and businesses.