MARINETTE, Wis. - A Niagara man has been sentenced to two years in prison and four years extended supervision in connection with burglary incidents in Niagara.
Andrew Giguere, 28, of Niagara, Wis., has been sentenced by Marinette County Circuit Court Judge David Miron.
He was charged with two counts of burglary into a building or dwelling and bail jumping, both felonies; theft of movable property more than $10,000, a felony; and theft of movable property less than $2,500 and criminal damage to property, both misdemeanors.
During his supervision, Giguere is to make monthly payments on court obligations and supervision fees, maintain full-time employment and have no contact with known drug users, sellers or victims.
He is also not to have any alcohol or controlled substances unless prescribed by a doctor, any other counseling as recommended by his parole agent, no firearms and may not vote or serve on a jury until sentence is complete.
He was represented by attorney Mike Perry of Marinette, Wis.
According to the complaint filed Sept. 25, Giguere and his alleged accomplice, Sheryl Anne Swiontek of Norway, broke into a residence in Niagara. The homeowner said that after he came home on Sept. 16 he noticed his passport was out of place and a coffee can full of change was missing. He then went to the area of his house where his safe is stored and noticed it was gone. A pry bar was also out of place.
The resident reported there was $50,000 in cash in the safe. The cash of several denominations was in bundles.
The complaint said a Citgo Station manager reported Giguere made a purchase on Sept. 17 with a $100 bill that was peeled off from a big stack of currency.
Five days later, a female friend of both Giguere and Swiontek said they told her that Giguere had broken into a residence and got $50,000. They told her the safe was thrown in the Menominee River.
She also told of going to a wooded area near the defendant's tree stand along U.S. 141 north of Barlow Lake in the town of Niagara, where a bag of large denomination bills were located.
The suspects took $1,000 from the bag, and then reburied it.
The complaint indicates the description of how the bills were packaged in bundles matched the victim's description of how his money was wrapped.
Swiontek was stopped in a traffic stop in Kingsford and found to be in possession of $1,060. She has been charged two felonies in Marinette County.
The criminal complaint filed Dec. 7 states that on Aug. 21 the Marinette County Sheriff's Department was dispatched to the North Star Bar in the town of Niagara for a burglary report. The bar owner reported entry to the bar was gained by prying open and damaging the side door.
The till bag containing $592, coffee fund of $87, shake of the day money of $50, game machine money of $280, change bag with $331, change jar with $40 and $30 in change from inside the till were taken. The till and cash register, valued at $350, were also taken.
A surveillance system video determined the burglary started at 3:08 a.m. and identified Giguere as the suspect.
An officer with the Norway Police Department noticed a suspicious situation around 4:29 a.m. on Aug. 21. A vehicle turned into an alley and parked behind a building. A man dressed in black entered Swiontek's apartment building.
In an interview with a Marinette County Detective, Swiontek admitted to the North Star burglary, court records said.
She said Giguere told her he dressed so only his eyes showed as he knew about the surveillance cameras. She identified him on the video photo. She said that he told her he would hide that money at his hunting spot in the town of Niagara, the complaint said.
After getting the landowner's consent, officers located the money.
Swiontek is scheduled to be sentenced on April 12 at 3:30 p.m. in Marinette Court for burglary into a building or dwelling and theft of movable property more than $10,000, both felonies.
Giguere also has been sentenced in Dickinson County Circuit Court for possession of a controlled substance and breaking and entering.
He received a one year jail sentence, which is concurrent to his Wisconsin prison sentence. He was given credit for 164 days served and must also pay fines and restitution.
For the Dickinson County case, Giguere was represented by attorney Kalen Lipe of Iron Mountain.
Lisa M. Hoffmann's e-mail address is lhoffmann@ironmountaindailynews.com