A Keshena teen is facing multiple charges of auto theft and attempted auto theft for being part of an alleged joyriding spree with a group of juveniles in December.
Kyle J. Peters, 18, is accused of stealing a vehicle in the town of Lessor, the attempted theft of a vehicle in the town of Richmond and being party to the crime of stealing a vehicle, also in Richmond. He is also accused of being a passenger in a stolen vehicle, which is a misdemeanor.
The alleged incidents all occurred Dec. 9, according to the criminal complaint.
Peters is the only suspect charged so far as an adult in the case. He was allegedly with a group of juveniles, including a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old. Other ages were not listed in the complaint.
One of the vehicles was found abandoned in a ditch near where another vehicle was reported stolen, according to the complaint. Another vehicle was recovered by Green Bay police after being involved in a crash in the city.
Green Bay police took a juvenile into custody who told them he had gotten the vehicle from another juvenile at a party. He said he believed the vehicle had been stolen in Shawano County, according to the criminal complaint.
Interviews with the juveniles by Shawano County sheriff’s deputies eventually led to Peters.
According to the complaint, Peters told deputies he was with the juveniles during the thefts, but did not steal any of the vehicles.
Peters is due in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court for an initial appearance April 7.
If found guilty, Peters could face a maximum of six years in prison and $10,000 fine for being party to the crime of taking and operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. A lesser felony charge of operating, but not taking, a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent carries a maximum 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Peters could also face a maximum 3-year sentence and $5,000 fine for attempting to take and operate a vehicle without the owner’s consent, and a maximum nine months and $10,000 fine on the misdemeanor count of being a passenger in vehicle being operated without the owner’s consent.