By Joe Bachman

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — An 18-year-old resident has been charged with multiple counts of burglary while out on bail for prior charges of burglary.

According to police reports, on July 4 at 8:17 a.m., officers were dispatched to Tamarack’s Pub, located at 481 Ruby Ave., in response to a report of a burglary. An officer observed a patio door on the east side with severe damage to it, as well as broken glass on the inside from the left side of the door.

Surveillance footage from approximately 12:58 a.m. the night before revealed a man later identified as Casey Barrett enter the parking lot, and attempt to enter the building through the storage door. However, the defendant was unsuccessful. Afterwards, Barrett kicked the patio door five to six times until successfully gaining entry to the pub. Video shows Barrett inside for approximately 10-15 minutes, and would eventually take multiple bottles of liquor before leaving.

Later that day, officers responded to another report of a burglary at Portesi’s Pizza, located at 4110 Eighth St. South. Management informed police that they had arrived to find a broken window and an unlocked door stemming from a potential burglary the night before.

Officers noted that someone had opened a bag of seasoning and threw it all over the floor.

Shelving had also been pushed to the floor, a freezer door was left open, and $2,000 in cash was taken from the register. Detectives later made contact with Barrett, who admitted that he had broken into both establishments, and had been drinking beer and tequila prior to doing so.

Barrett informed police that he had just broken up with his girlfriend, and had been “very emotional” without a care of what happened that night.

According to court documents, Barrett was out on bail at the time for a June 5 charge of burglary, and was not to commit any further crimes. If convicted, Barrett faces up to 37 years imprisonment, and up to $70,00 in fines for two counts of burglary and two counts of bail jumping.

His initial appearance in court is scheduled for August 21.