Two seemingly unrelated cases converged in the city of Shawano this week when authorities responding to a drug complaint nabbed suspects in a burglary committed earlier the same day.
Felony burglary charges were filed Thursday against Anthony J. Oberhofer, 30, and Miguel K. Rosas, 17, both of rural Shawano. They are accused of breaking into the J&M Corner Bar in Pella on Tuesday and stealing more than $2,800 in cash and coins.
According to the criminal complaint, Shawano County sheriff’s deputies investigating the burglary went to Rosas’ home to interview him. The complaint states that Rosas lives within a mile or two of the bar and was known to have been involved in thefts and burglaries in the past.
No one was home, but, according to the complaint, authorities found a shoe print in the dirt driveway that matched one found at the crime scene.
As this was going on, a sheriff’s detective at the Rosas residence was called out to assist in a drug complaint in the city of Shawano.
The detective assisted Shawano police in searching a residence on East Center Street after a woman at the residence reported a family member — Nicholas R. Blais, 27 — was suspected of doing drugs.
The search turned up drug paraphernalia, according to the complaint, and authorities waited for Blais to take him into custody for felony bail jumping. Blais was out on bond in another case in which he is facing a felony count of manufacture and delivery of narcotics.
Blais eventually returned, driven home in a vehicle in which Oberhofer and Rosas were also passengers, according to the complaint.
Authorities made a drug stop on the vehicle and did safety pat-downs on the occupants, according to the complaint.
The complaint states Rosas had $1,000 in cash on him, and Oberhofer had a plastic bag with different types of change. A glass jar with change and dollar bills inside, believed to be from the robbery, was found in the car.
The driver of the car — a 22-year-old Shawano man — was subsequently charged with a misdemeanor count of receiving stolen property.
Oberhofer and Rosas could each face a maximum 12½ years in prison and $25,000 fine on the burglary charges. Oberhofer is also charged with a misdemeanor count of receiving stolen property. Rosas faces additional misdemeanor counts of criminal damage and theft.
Oberhofer was being held on a $1,000 cash bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court.
Rosas posted a $2,000 cash bond and was due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance on Aug. 19
Blais could face a maximum six years in prison and $10,000 fine for felony bail jumping. He was being held on a $1,000 cash bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Monday. He also faces a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
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