Charges filed in golf course vandalism case

A Rhinelander 17-year-old has been charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor in connection with two separate investigations, one involving vandalism at a local golf course and the other involving a burglary at a retail store.

The defendant, Landon M. Oldham-Schulte, is accused of vandalizing property at the Rhinelander Country Club and stealing merchandise from a local smoke shop, according to a criminal complaint filed in Oneida County Circuit Court Monday.

The charges against Oldham-Schulte are as follows: Burglary (as party to the crime), intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a minor (as party to the crime) and theft of movable property >$2,500-$5,000 (as party to the crime), and criminal damage to property (as party to the crime).

A 15-year-old who is related to the 17-year-old was referred to the Department of Social Services for adjudication with respect to the alleged smoke shop burglary, according to the Rhinelander Police Department.

 The 15-year-old is also expected to face additional charges with respect to the damage to the country club once the investigation is complete, according to a police department press release.

As we previously reported, Rhinelander police were called to the Rhinelander Country Club at approximately 6:14 a.m. Thursday, May 30 after several golf carts were found to be damaged.

According to club pro Kevin Schoppe, boats belonging to members were also vandalized.

A total of six golf carts were damaged and one had to be retrieved from Boom Lake, according to Schoppe.

“At this point we have all six golf carts back at the club,” Schoppe said. “Three were damaged on the property with one flipped over and one left in Boom Lake. Three were taken off the property. All are not usable.”

There was “minimal” damage to the golf course, however, and members were able to play without delay, Schoppe reported.

“Golf course superintendent Mitch Beckendorf and his staff were able to clear debris and retrieve the golf cart from Boom Lake,” Schoppe said.

The six golf carts alone will cost between $60,000 and $70,000,” Schoppe noted. 

As of late last week, the number of boats damaged was estimated at 10.

On Monday morning, the police department announced that two teenagers had been identified as suspects in the golf course vandalism. 

As those age 17 and older are considered adults, and those under age 17 are considered minors, according to the state criminal justice system, Oldham-Schulte’s name was released but the 15-year-old’s identity was withheld.

Also, court records show a 30-year-old Rhinelander man has been charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor in connection with the smoke shop burglary.

That individual, Michael Anthony Youngs, is a relative of the two teenagers suspected in the country club case, according to the complaint.  

Youngs is charged with felony burglary (as party to a crime and as a repeater), intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a minor (as party to a crime and as a repeater), theft of movable property >$2,500-$5,000 (as party to the crime and as a repeater), and criminal damage to property (as party to the crime and as a repeater).

According to the complaint, Youngs acted as a lookout while Oldham-Schulte and the 15-year-old stole approximately $3,000 in merchandise from the smoke/vape shop. They gained access to the store by breaking a window, according to the complaint.

The stolen items, which the complaint states were distributed among the three, were Delta 9, Delta 10 and other CBD products.

According to a police report attached to the complaint, in watching surveillance footage from the store that was burglarized an officer recognized Youngs.

The officer recognized Youngs because he had just had contact with him at the hospital. According to the complaint, Youngs required medical treatment after passing out due to the consumption of edible marijuana.

Both Youngs and Oldham-Schulte made their initial appearances in Oneida County Circuit Court Monday afternoon.

Assistant district attorney Scott Niemi asked for a cash bond in Youngs’ case, noting that he has a prior record of drug offenses and, as a 30-year-old man, “certainly should have known better” than to participate in such conduct with a pair of teenagers.

Judge Mike Bloom set a $2,500 cash bond and scheduled an adjourned initial appearance for June 10.

“This is a significant matter that is of concern to the court,” Bloom said.

(According to statements made by his co-defendants, Youngs did not participate in the incident at the golf course.)

When Oldham-Schulte’s case was called, Niemi recommended a signature bond due to the defendant’s age “and the fact that he confessed.”

 Bloom authorized a $10,000 signature bond with conditions that the defendant reside at home with his mother. He may only leave the residence to go to school or if he is in the company of his mother. He must be “within eyeshot” of his mother at all times if not at home, the judge directed.

“Be very mindful of your bond conditions, Mr. Schulte,” the judge advised. “For the foreseeable future, it would serve you well to accustomize yourself to boredom or things will get dicey for you and anybody around you who has anything to do with your violating the conditions that have been put in place.”

After the defendant expressed some confusion regarding whether he would be released from custody, Bloom added: “You’ve called in all your sick days and there is no room for error.”

An adjourned initial appearance is Oldham-Schulte’s case is scheduled for July 1.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].