The man suspected in a series of burglaries late last year waived his right to a preliminary hearing during a brief appearance in Oconto County Circuit Court on March 21.
Alfred Duane Gristeau, 25, Gillett, is charged with eight counts of burglary to a building or dwelling, one count of theft of movable property — special facts, and 19 misdemeanor charges: 11 counts of theft of movable property worth less than $2,500, five counts of criminal damage to property, resisting or obstructing an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and bail jumping.
Judge Jay Conley scheduled arraignment for 2 p.m. April 24, at which time Gristeau is to enter a plea. He remains in custody in lieu of $100,000 cash bond.
The burglaries allegedly took place between Oct. 31 and Dec. 14. According to the criminal complaint, the break in the case occurred Dec. 14, when a trail camera was stolen in the Town of Underhill.
The camera had a feature that sent photos to its owner, and its last two images showed a man approaching the camera and then a blurry image that appeared to show the man taking it.
The deputy who responded to the burglary showed the photo to neighbors, and one identified the man as Gristeau, according to the criminal complaint.
A short time later, authorities received a call that a burglary was in progress at the nearby Northern Grace Youth Camp, where a Ring camera had sent a notification that someone was inside the camp’s kitchen building.
The responding deputy spotted a man in the driveway to the camp and identified him as Gristeau from the trail cam image, and the suspect was taken into custody a short time later with the help of K-9 officer Turbo.
Among the burglaries the complaint attributes to Gristeau are break-ins to 15 cabins at the youth camp and the thefts of four guitars, a chainsaw and security cameras. A rifle, BB gun and game console were taken in another burglary at a residence.
wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com
Burglary suspect waives preliminary hearing
