By Joe Bachman

A 41-year-old man has been charged with theft and possession of drug paraphernalia after police say he stole a camper.

Kenneth Rzepka, of Wisconsin Rapids, is charged with theft of movable property greater than $5,000 and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to police reports, on July 7 a camper was reported stolen that was stored on the 1900 block of Baker Dr. The complainant told police he found the stolen camper parked on the 900 block of 21st St. North.

Rzepka allegedly borrowed a neighbor’s truck two days earlier to move to camper from Baker Dr.. to his own residence. According to Rzepka, since the camper had been laying dormant for a week with a flat tire, he assumed it was abandoned and moved it into his driveway.

A neighbor told police that Rzepka informed him that he purchased the trailer for $1,000 and planned to keep the trailer at his job site to “avoid the commute”. Police also found a pipe on his property with burnt residue believed to be marijuana.

If convicted, Rzepka faces up to six years imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines. His preliminary hearing is slated for Aug. 1.