At the January 28, 2025, Plan Commission meeting, Oak Creek officials stated they had contacted local law enforcement regarding potential crime at the proposed Buc-ee’s location. Their conclusion? That “very little crime is expected,” based on reports provided by Buc-ee’s themselves. Unfortunately, the reality at existing Buc-ee’s locations across the country tells a very different story.
TL;DR
- Existing Buc-ee’s locations report crime ranging from theft to murder
- Owner’s son arrested twice—most recently for child pornography
- Oak Creek sits between Milwaukee & Chicago, both with serious crime issues
- Tourist traffic will attract crime, including human trafficking concerns
- Gas stations & convenience stores are the 3rd most common location for robbery in the U.S.
- City officials must independently research crime trends—not rely on Buc-ee’s self-reported data
Crime at Buc-ee’s Locations Across the U.S.
National news and police reports reveal a disturbing pattern of incidents at Buc-ee’s sites, including:
- Armed robbery & mass shooting plots
- Assaults, shootings, and murder
- Escaped convicts, drug trafficking arrests
- Credit card skimmers & identity theft rings
- Sexual harassment, misconduct, & racial discrimination
- Traffic backups, deadly crashes, & car fires
Buc-ee’s may brand itself as a friendly, family-oriented destination, but the reality is that large 24/7 gas stations and convenience stores are crime magnets.
Buc-ee’s Ownership Tied to Criminal Activity
Adding to the concern is Buc-ee’s own leadership. Within the past six months, the owner’s son was arrested twice—first for recording guests in a bathroom, and more recently for child pornography charges. One of the images in his possession involved a missing and exploited child.
Oak Creek must ask itself: Is this the type of business we want in our community? Do we want to bring a corporation into our city whose members have been charged with crimes against children?
Oak Creek’s Vulnerability to Crime
Oak Creek sits between Milwaukee and Chicago, two major cities with serious crime rates, including child trafficking. In 2020, Wisconsin reported 430 child sex trafficking allegations. Kenosha, just south of Oak Creek, has a clinic dedicated to treating children of abuse.
A tourist-driven business like Buc-ee’s—bringing thousands of visitors from over 100 miles away—creates a serious security risk for our community.
Gas Stations & Crime: National Trends
A study by ceds.org found a strong link between violence and gas stations serving alcohol, reporting higher rates of crime regardless of a neighborhood’s economic or demographic background.
According to the FBI, gas stations and convenience stores are the third most common location for robbery in the United States—especially those that operate 24 hours a day.
The proposed Buc-ee’s, which will pull in massive crowds at all hours, could become a crime hub in Oak Creek.
Why This Matters
At a February 19, 2025, City Council meeting, Andrew Vickers emphasized that public safety polls as a top concern among Oak Creek residents. He stated, “As we grow, I hope we are maintaining the police and firefighters on our streets.”
That responsibility falls directly on Oak Creek’s leadership, who must do their due diligence—not rely on Buc-ee’s own misleading reports. Ignoring the risks associated with this development puts our families, our homes, and our safety in jeopardy.