Web-based surveillance products played a key role in apprehending the suspect in a series of burglaries and thefts in Oconto, Shawano and Menominee counties.
Bond was set at $100,000 cash Jan. 3 for Alfred Duane Gristeau, 25, Gillett, after he was charged with eight counts of burglary to a building or dwelling, one count of theft of movable property-special facts, and 14 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.
Gristeau was due back before Oconto County Circuit Judge Jay Conley on Jan. 16.
The burglaries allegedly took place between Oct. 31 and Dec. 14. 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 ran from the deputy across a frozen lake, the complaint said.
The deputy happened to be the handler for K-9 officer Turbo, and he shouted several warnings ordering Gristeau to stop before he deployed the dog to chase the suspect, who was taken into custody moments later.
There appeared to be a second set of footprints in the snow, but Gristeau claimed he was alone, the complaint said. He was taken into custody on a bench warrant from Shawano County, where online records indicate he failed to appear for a July 29 court hearing on a misdemeanor theft charge.
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.
The complaint said that Gristeau admitted taking the items during a Dec. 16 interview and identified a person who would come to his house, take the stolen items and sell them. The second suspect has not yet been charged.
wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com
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