Superior man sentenced in string of rural burglaries

A Superior man who took part in a string of burglaries in rural Douglas County last year was sentenced Wednesday in Douglas County Circuit Court.

Adam L. Burhans, 19, pleaded guilty to felony criminal damage to property and burglary as a party to both crimes and one count misdemeanor criminal damage property as a party to a crime.

He was sentenced to nine months in jail for the misdemeanor with Huber work release granted, and ordered to pay misdemeanor court costs. On the felony charges, Burhans was sentenced to five years probation with the condition he has no contact with the victims and pays $6,584.58 restitution and court costs.

Four additional counts of felony burglary as a party to a crime were dismissed but read in for sentencing. All additional charges — being a party to two counts of felony attempted burglary, two counts of felony burglary, one count of felony armed burglary and six counts of misdemeanor criminal damage to property — were dismissed.

Burhans was the third suspect charged for breaking into numerous cabins and residences throughout Douglas County between Nov. 2, 2010, and May 10. Similar sentences were handed down to Michael Mark Harden, 22, of Oakdale, Minn., and Joshua Alan Lundy, 19, of Maple for the crimes.

According to the criminal complaint, one residence on Bayfield Road was broken into three separate times and a fourth attempt to burglarize the home was made. Video surveillance from the fourth burglary attempt allowed the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department to identify one of the suspects, Lundy.

When questioned by sheriff department investigator Brad Hoyt, Lundy admitted taking part in the burglaries. He said he and Burhans would steal TVs mostly, which Burhans would sell on the street. Lundy confessed to several other burglaries, including a Brule cabin where they stole a BB gun, two residences on Clay Road in Cloverland, and a cabin on the Amnicon River Road where they shot out the windows with BB guns.

Harden, when questioned, remembered taking alcohol and an iPod station from the Lake Superior Barn on Rudolph Road in Maple with Burhans and Lundy. He said they had a BB gun fight there and ended up shooting out windows. Damages to the property were estimated at $5,000.

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