Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Four people have been charged in connection with a pair of armed robberies earlier this month, in which masked intruders allegedly accosted a homeowner and a man living in an ice shack in search of drugs and money, according to criminal complaints filed Wednesday.
Shawano County sheriff’s deputies responded to two reports of back-to-back home invasions in the town of Richmond on on the morning of Jan. 17.
In one, a man living in an ice shack on Ash Road reported that three armed, masked men broke down the door of the ice shack, pointed a gun at his head and demanded drugs and money, according to the complaint.
The man said he did not have either, and the intruders left empty-handed. Before leaving, however, one of the intruders struck the man in the head with the butt of a handgun, according to the complaints.
In the other incident, a homeowner not far from the ice shack reported being awakened by a vehicle in his driveway, after which he saw three men with handguns exit the vehicle.
There was a confrontation at the door of the residence, according to the criminal complaints, which ended when one of the residents at the home chased the intruders off with a board.
In both cases, the victims told authorities they believed they knew one of the suspects.
Anthony M. Fecarotta, 20, of Shawano, Nicholas J. Menore, 18, of Tigerton, Brandon Reinke, 19, of Shawano, and Kari J. Wilson, 37, of Shawano, are each facing felony counts of being party to the crimes of committing battery on a person during a burglary, two counts of armed robbery, and burglary while armed with a dangerous weapon.
According to the complaints, Wilson drove the vehicle used in the robberies.
Fecarotta, who is also charged with a felony count of bail jumping, was ordered held on a $20,000 cash bond and is scheduled for an adjourned initial appearance Monday.
Menore and Wilson were ordered held on $15,000 cash bonds.
Menore is scheduled for an adjourned initial appearance Monday.
Wilson has been scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday.
An arrest warrant was issued for Reinke.