By Joe Bachman

Three men are charged in the burglary of a local business, after police say they took part in the theft of money from a cash register after hours.

Troy Lund, 35, of Wisconsin Rapids, Jeffrey Hicks, 42, of Nekoosa, and Andrew Murphy, 38, of Wisconsin Rapids are charged with burglary. According to police reports, on Jan. 28, 2016 an deputy was dispatched to a business on the 3700 block of State Highway 54 West in Nekoosa regarding a burglary.

The deputy spoke to the complainant, who believed his business was burglarized the previous night. He told the deputy that the cash register had been pried open and torn apart. The deputy watched surveillance video of the break-in, which took place at approximately 3:00 a.m. After gaining entrance to the business by using a screwdriver and a pry bar, a man was observed taking money from the cash register, as well as other items, and placing them into a shopping bag.

On Feb. 24, 2016, an investigator executed a search warrant at the residence of Andrew Murphy, who allegedly admitted he was involved in the burglary. According to Murphy, he intended to take part, but before entering the building a car drove by and he took off running. When asked if Lund was the one who entered the bar that night, Murphy said “it’s possible”.

On Feb. 24, 2016, a detective executed a search warrant at the residence of Jeffrey Hicks and spoke with the defendant. According to Hicks, he was the driver, and admitted that Murphy and Lund were with him. He told the detective that he allegedly split up the proceeds of the burglary between himself, Murphy and Lund.

At the time of the burglary, Jeffrey Hicks was out on bond for previous charges of felony firearm possession and methamphetamine possession, and was not to commit any further crimes while on bond.

If convicted, the three each face up to 12 years and six months imprisonment, and up to $25,000 in fines. The three appeared in court for an initial appearance on Mar. 14. Future court dates are pending.