By Amy Van Meter

A Plover woman and Wisconsin Rapids man faces up to 12 years in prison when their burglarious plans were foiled in the early hours of Aug. 25.

Both Kelly Patton, 29, and Eric Harvey, 35, appeared in the Portage County Courthouse on Sept. 3 facing charges of conspiracy to commit a burglary, possession of burglarious tools and resisting an officer. Patton also faces charges of felony bail jumping and child neglect.

At 3:28 a.m. on Aug. 25, the Plover Police Department was called to the 2700 block of Post Road where there was a report of suspicious people near Dan’s Liquor, according to the police report. When police arrived to the location, they noticed two people, later identified as Patton and Harvey, near Jeepers Gin Mill, which is a tavern next to the liquor store.

When police shined their spotlight on the duo, both Patton and Harvey ran by a small shed near the liquor store, according to the report. Patton was found hiding behind machinery inside of the shed while Harvey unsuccessfully tried to climb a fence to escape. During the chase, Harvey had thrown an object in the bushes, which was found to be a hammer with a towel wrapped around the head.

Police later discovered a black winter cap, a bandana, red work gloves and a silver box cutter. according to the report.

Initially telling police that Harvey and her had planned on finding scrap metal at night, Patton later admitted that they were going to break into parked vehicles and eventually the tavern itself, according to police records.

Patton admitted that they had planned the burglary throughout the afternoon and that she had left her two young children at Harvey’s residence unattended, according to the report.

When questioned, Harvey was vague but admitted to intending to rob the tavern stating it “could have transpired if things had been ideal.”

Plover Police Chief Dwayne D Wierzba was at a meeting and unavailable to comment on the attempted robbery when the City-Times arrived to their offices in the afternoon on Sept. 6.

Both Patton and Harvey will be appearing for their preliminary hearings on Sept. 16 at 3 p.m.