By Jacob Mathias

A Stevens Point man faces felony burglary charges after a local property owner caught him on video breaking into his rental office.

Daniel Erickson, 27, made his initial appearance in Portage Co. Circuit Court on Sept.19.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to an early morning burglary in process from a business on the 3400 block of Church St. on Sept. 2. The suspected burglar, Erickson, left the scene before officers arrived.

The owner of the business told police his office had been burgled twice before in as many weeks. The business owner also said he’d installed live-feed video cameras so he could observe his business via cell phone while he was away.

He also placed bait money in the business the day before, having recorded the bills’ serial numbers, and told police he had video of Erickson stealing the cash after breaking in a door to the office.

Using that video, police were able to retrieve Erickson’s image and license plate number. He was later found driving on Post Rd. and taken into custody after a traffic stop, but declined to speak with police and requested an attorney.

When police searched Erickson’s wallet, they found several bills with serial numbers matching the business owner’s bait. A lock-picking kit was also found in his car.

Erickson faces felony burglary charges that carries a maximum sentence of a $25,000 fine, 12 years and six months imprisonment or both if convicted. A second felony charge for possession of burglarious tools carries a maximum sentence of a $10,000 fine, three years and six months imprisonment or both.

Erickson was out on bond for similar charges in Wood Co. at the time of his arrest and also faces bond-jumping charges.

Erickson is currently free on a $5,000 signature bond and returns to court on Oct. 10 at 3:00 PM for a preliminary hearing.