By Jacob Mathias

A Waupaca man faces burglary charges after allegedly breaking into a Stevens Point home and stealing jewelry and cash worth over $10,000.

Sancho Hernandez, 37, of Waupaca is charged with felonious burglary for which he could see up to a $25,000 fine, six years imprisonment or both if convicted. He is also charged with theft of over $10,000, which carries a sentence of up to a $25,000 fine, 10 years imprisonment or both if convicted.

According to court documents, Stevens Point police were called to the 400 block of West Karner St. shortly after noon on April 1, 2015 in response to a burglary complaint. When police arrived, they met with the granddaughter of the burgled home’s owners.

The woman reported that her grandparents wintered in Nevada and she was visiting the house to check on their cats. While visiting she found a crowbar sitting on a chair in the home; further investigation uncovered a splintered back door with a missing lock hasp.

The crowbar was seized as evidence.

The owners of the home were called and a search of the home uncovered multiple items of jewelry and cash valued at $11,380 was stolen from the home. The victim of the theft reported she suspected Sancho Hernandez, the ex-husband of their granddaughter was responsible for the theft. The victim alleged Hernandez was involved with drugs, had lost his job and needed money, but was suddenly able to take his girlfriend to Las Vegas.

A few weeks later on April 20, Stevens Point Police contacted the Las Vegas Police Department after finding out Hernandez had been arrested there for burglary while in possession of a gun.

The crowbar suspected of being used in the burglary was sent to the state crime lab for DNA testing, and genetic material matching Hernandez was confirmed in July of last year. The victims reported the crowbar belonged to them and had never been handled by Hernandez in the past nor did he ever have permission to use it.

Hernandez is currently incarcerated at the High Desert State Prison in Indian Springs, Nevada.

Hernandez is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Portage County Circuit Court on May 31 at 1:30 PM.