NEW: Area Police Assist in Solving Burglary Spree; Trio Arrested
City Times Staff
Stevens Point police today say a string of local robberies has been solved.
Three were arrested in Green Bay on suspicion of breaking-in to numerous businesses around the state. Portage County Sheriff Mike Lukas was in Outagamie County Monday, where several law enforcement agencies announced the burglars had been taken into custody.
Lukas said just in Portage Co., the burglars were responsible for cash thefts at Shooters and Subway in Plover, as well as the Stevens Point robberies at Point Supply in January, Stash’s Little White Inn last December, and Little Caesars Pizza in February.
Lukas estimated the burglars were responsible for 20-25 burglaries throughout the state, with other incidents still being investigated.
According to a news release from the Stevens Point Police Department on Tuesday, the group also robbed businesses in locations such as Green Bay-DePere, Mauston and Shiocton. Detective Sgt. Tony Babl said between December of 2014 and February of this year, at least 21 businesses in 12 jurisdictions were burglarized.
According to police, three people from Green Bay have been charged: 42 year-old Robert Hammes, Nickolas Smith, 36, and 22 year-old Tasheena Hawpetoss have been charged. Charges are pending against two others.
“Reports were taken and evidence was collected but no real leads developed until we were contact by Green Bay police detectives working on a string of burglaries and an armed robbery with very similar method of operation,” Babl said. “Green Bay developed suspects on their cases and along with Stevens Point, Plover and other detectives. They were able to link the suspects to the burglaries in our area.”