January 24, 2014 at 2:25 p.m.
Pretrial date set in Verizon burglary case
Pretrial date set in Verizon burglary case
Siphanh Phongsavath, 35, is now scheduled for a pretrial conference on March 18. His attorney, Anthony Cotton, asked the court for as much time as possible to prepare for that next phase of the case given the other allegations against his client. The state believes Phongsavath may have ties to the gang the Latin Kings and other crimes around Wisconsin and in neighboring states. He remains in custody on a $125,000 cash bond.
In Oneida County, Phongsavath is facing felony counts of burglary and possession of burglarious tools, as well as misdemeanor counts of attempted theft, criminal damage to property and resisting or obstructing an officer.
He was arrested on Nov. 26 after he allegedly attempted to break into the Verizon store at 1218 Lincoln Street. A Rhinelander patrol officer was alerted to the break-in by an audible alarm coming from the shopping complex where the store is located. As she investigated the alarm, she observed a smashed window and an individual (later identified as Phongsavath) inside the store. After a foot pursuit involving other Rhinelander police officers and deputies from the Oneida County Sheriff's Department, Phongsavath was taken into custody.
Oneida County Assistant District Attorney Steve Michlig said Phongsavath's arrest caught the attention of Milwaukee detectives who believe he is affiliated with the Latin Kings and crimes connected to the gang.
"When Judge (Michael) Bloom set bond, he was privy to affidavits for search warrants from other jurisdictions," Michlig said during a bond review last month in which the $125,000 cash amount was upheld.
There was no indication in court Friday as to the status of other investigations involving Phongsavath.
Kyle Rogers may be reached at [email protected].
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