Tim Ryan, tryan@shawanoleader.com
Shawano police are investigating whether a burglary suspect arrested Thursday night at the scene of a break-in on Maurer Street has any connection to other recent burglaries in the neighborhood.
James L. Lamczyk, 29, of Shawano, was taken into custody after police responded to an alarm in the 200 block of East Maurer Street. He was charged Friday with a felony count of burglary and one count of misdemeanor theft.
Police arriving at the scene about 8:40 p.m. found fresh footprints in the snow leading up the driveway and to a door on the south side of the residence.
A perimeter was set up around the house, and the homeowner was contacted by phone. He confirmed that no one was supposed to be in the house and gave officers permission to clear the residence, according to the criminal complaint.
Police opened the south door and announced themselves. Fresh snow that had been tracked into the house was spotted, according to the complaint.
A man later identified as Lamczyk was then seen coming out of a door on the north side and was taken into custody.
According to the complaint, authorities found a credit card belonging to the homeowner in Lamczyk’s wallet while he was being booked into Shawano County Jail.
The house where Lamczyk was arrested had been burglarized five previous times in the past six months, according to police.
An alarm provided and installed by the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department was set up at the residence after the last burglary.
Police Capt. Jeff Heffernon said there have been a dozen burglaries in the neighborhood stretching back to the spring of 2013, all similar to Thursday night’s break-in.
Heffernon cautioned that the previous burglaries were still under investigation, but he said Lamczyk could be tied to those other incidents.
“We suspect he was a part of them or had friends who were a part of them,” he said.
Heffernon said a possible drug connection was also being investigated.
“We believe proceeds from these burglaries may have been going toward drug activity in the city of Shawano,” Heffernon said.
Lamczyk was convicted in 2004 of manufacture and delivery of marijuana, according to court records. A two-year prison sentence was imposed and stayed, and Lamczyk was given three years on probation.
According to court records, Lamczyk also had two previous convictions for burglary and one for attempted burglary in 2002, all of which resulted in a sentence of probation.
Lamczyk was ordered held Friday on a $2,500 cash bond by Judge James Habeck. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Feb. 24.
If convicted, Lamczyk could face a maximum possible penalty of 12 1/2 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.