December 26, 2014 at 3:43 p.m.
Details emerge in stolen credit card case as first suspect makes court appearance
Details emerge in stolen credit card case as first suspect makes court appearance
Brieanna M. Persike, 22, of Wausau, charged with burglary, fraudulent use of a credit card and misdemeanor theft, appeared via video teleconference before Branch II Judge Michael Bloom.
She and her codefendant, Andrew C. Washburn, 25, Wausau, were arrested in Marathon County after images that appear to show them using a stolen credit card to make purchases at the Rhinelander Walmart were released to the public early Thursday.
Washburn, who is still being held in the Marathon County Jail on a probation hold, has not yet been transported to Oneida County.
The two stand accused of stealing a purse from a town of Crescent home just after 1 a.m. on Dec. 17. According to a police report attached to the criminal complaint, one of the residents of the home saw Persike get into a car in the driveway of the home. The person tried to follow Persike in a separate vehicle but was unable to do so. The individual then called the sheriff's office to report the break-in.
According to the complaint, at 3:18 a.m., a credit card in the purse was used to purchase $502.89 worth of items at the Rhinelander Walmart. The items allegedly included a stereo installation kit for a GM car, amplifier, speaker wires, a BB gun resembling a real semi-automatic handgun, ice fishing equipment, household items, cat food and other items. Surveillance video from the store showed two people, believed to be Persike and Washburn, arriving at 1:43 a.m. and leaving at 3:20 a.m. in a Pontiac Grand Am.
Later it was determined that the couple stopped at the Holiday gas station between 1:20 a.m. and 1:39 a.m. and purchased cigarettes.
That afternoon, the sheriff's office issued a press release containing five images of the suspects and asked the public for help identifying them. Persike and Washburn were positively identified through tips, the sheriff's office said in a subsequent press release.
Persike was arrested in Wausau just after 9 p.m. Thursday. Washburn was arrested later, also in the Wausau area.
According to the complaint, Persike admitted to investigators that she and Washburn took the card and purchased the items
When asked for a bail recommendation during Monday's hearing, Assistant District Attorney Steve Michlig asked for a cash bond.
Bloom said he had declined to set a bond amount over the weekend due to the gravity of the charges. However, he released Persike on a $5,000 signature bond with the condition she not have any contact with Washburn.
She will make an adjourned initial appearance on Jan. 12 at which time she is expected to have a public defender to represent her.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.