By Brandi Makuski

Charges are pending against two Stevens Point men in connection with several robberies in the area surrounding the 1900 block of Water Street.

Armed with a search warrant, SPPD detectives arrived at 1925 Water St. shortly after noon on Sept. 12. A SWAT team was mobilized because police had information there were weapons in the home, according to a news release from the department. Drug paraphernalia and at least one firearm were recovered during the search.

Eyewitnesses say they watched the SWAT team surround the home before an officer instructed occupants to come outside using a bullhorn.

Assistant Chief Tony Babl said the thefts from residential garages and locked vehicles had taken place “in that area of town” over the past two weeks.

Babl also said a pistol had been stolen from a business in the area, which he said is what triggered the department’s use of its armored vehicle and SWAT response. At least one weapon was recovered from the home.

The Portage County Sheriff’s Office assisted for traffic control, and the Stevens Point Ambulance service was also on site as a precaution.

Two male occupants of the home, Chase M. Uebelher, 24, and 31-year-old Adam J. Keen, were both taken into custody without incident.

Adam J. Keen. (Courtesy Portage Co. Jail)

Stevens Point Police Sgt. Mike Retzki said the street had been closed to traffic, but said law enforcement left the area less than an hour after arriving.

Uebelher is now facing several charges of theft, as well as possession of marijuana. Both men face chages of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Babl said police found the drugs and paraphernalia as they conducted their search for items related to the burglaries.

“Drugs were not a focus on the investigation,” he said.