Court Dismisses Cenex Burglary Case for 2nd Time

For the second time, charges of burglarizing the Shell Lake Cenex store filed against Alabama man, Randy Hammett, have been dismissed by the Court.

DrydenWire.com reported on January 23, 2018, that on January 19, 2018, a preliminary examination hearing was held in Washburn County Circuit Court on the original burglary charges filed against Hammett. At that hearing, the charges were dismissed by the Court because the Court did not find probable cause to bind the case over for trial. The Court also granted the State 72 hours to re-file the charges.

That same day, the Washburn County District Attorney’s Office re-filed the case against Hammett, and a bail bond hearing was held. Hammett’s cash bail bond was released, and he was placed on a $500 signature bail bond.

Today, February 16, 2018, a preliminary examination hearing was held regarding the re-filed case.

Online circuit court records indicate testimony was heard from a Shell Lake Police Officer who was examined (questioned) by both Washburn County District Attorney Winton, and Hammett’s defense attorney. After the Officer completed his testimony and was excused, DA Winton made a motion to reopen evidence and testimony and recall the Officer. The defense objected, however, the Court granted the motion.

According to online circuit court records, DA Winton then entered a photograph of a truck tailgate into evidence and recalled the Officer to the witness stand to authenticate that photograph.

After further arguments were heard by the Court from both DA Winton and Hammett’s defense counsel, the Court ruled that it could not find probable cause to connect Hammett to the crime.

The case was dismissed without prejudice, which is a dismissal that allows for future re-filing of the case.

These charges stemmed from an incident on November 20, 2017, in which the Shell Lake Cenex store was broken into and several thousand dollars in cash was stolen along with nearly $200 worth of cigarettes.

Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

**Previous Post**

Charges Dismissed by Court & Re-Filed by State in Cenex Burglary Case

Tuesday, January 23, 2018 | DrydenWire

Charges filed against Alabama man, Randy Hammett, in the recent burglary of the Shell Lake Cenex store were dismissed by the Court at a preliminary examination hearing on January 19, 2018.

Online circuit court records state that the Court heard testimony from a police officer at the hearing. The Court could not find probable cause to bind the case over for trial and the case was dismissed on the Court’s motion. Hammett’s $5,000 cash bail bond was released as a result of the dismissal.

The Court gave the State 72 hours to re-file their charges, and a new criminal case was filed that same day, once again charging Hammett with Class F Felony Burglary of a Building and Class G Felony Theft of Movable Property valued at more than $10,000.

A bail bond hearing was held for Hammett regarding the new criminal case filed against him, and according to online circuit court records, Hammett provided an updated address for the Court. A $500 signature bond was ordered in the new case, with an Initial Appearance date in February 2018.

**Previous Post**

Court Orders $5,000 Cash Bond to Continue For Cenex Burglary Suspect

Tuesday, January 9, 2018 | DrydenWire

Randy Hammett, the Alabama man charged with the burglary at the Shell Lake Cenex, appeared in Washburn County Circuit Court today, January 8, 2018 for an Initial Appearance on his criminal charges.

The Court ordered that the $5,000 cash bail bond previously set for Hammett will continue.

Charges were filed against Hammett following an investigation into the recent burglary at the Shell Lake Cenex station in which thousands of dollars in cash was stolen along with items from the store.

DrydenWire.com reported on November 24, 2017 (see original story below) that a warrant had been issued for Hammett’s arrest. On December 14, 2017, the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release stating that Hammett had been apprehended in Alabama on the nationwide arrest warrant.

Hammett faces charges of Class F Felony Burglary of a Building and Class G Felony Theft of Movable Property, valued at more than $10,000. If convicted of these charges, Hammett could face imprisonment for 12 years and 6 months for the charge of burglary and imprisonment of 10 years for the felony theft charge.

A preliminary examination hearing has been scheduled for Hammett later this month in Washburn County Circuit Court. He remains in the custody of the Washburn County Jail at the time of this post.

**Previous Post**

$5,000 Cash Bond Set for Cenex Burglary Suspect

Friday, December 29, 2017 | WCSO l Press Release

Burglary Suspect, Randy Hammett was brought back to the Washburn County Jail by a prisoner transport service on Dec. 28th. Hammett appeared in Washburn County Circuit Court for a bail hearing today and is on a $5,000 cash bond.

Hammett is in custody to face charges of Burglary, a Class F Felony and Theft of moveable property over $10,000 a class G Felony. These charges stem from the burglary and theft at the Cenex Station in Shell Lake.

Sheriff Dryden

**Previous Post**

Man Wanted in Cenex Burglary Investigation Apprehended

Thursday, December 14, 2017 | DrydenWire

ALABAMA -- A Fugitive from Justice has been apprehended in Alabama after a nationwide warrant was issued for his arrest following a recent break-in at the Shell Lake Cenex (Synergy Co-op) in the early morning hours of November 20, 2017.

DrydenWire.com published a press release from the Washburn County Sheriff's Office on the same day of the break-in seeking that stating authorities were seeking the public's help in identifying the subject. 4 days later, DrydenWire.com reported the details of the break-in and that a nationwide arrest warrant had been issued. (see previous posts below).

When reached, Sheriff Dryden stated to DrydenWire.com that the Washburn County Sheriff's Office is awaiting Hammet's court appearance in Alabama for Waiver of Extradition before the next steps can be taken in order for Hammet to appear in Washburn County on his charges.

Hammett has been charged in Washburn County Circuit Court with Class F Felony Burglary of a Building and with Class G Felony Theft of Movable Property, valued at more than $10,000.

**Previous Post**

Arrest Warrant Issued for Man Charged with Break-In at Shell Lake Cenex

Friday, November 24, 2017 | DrydenWire

Shell Lake Police Chief David Wilson has confirmed to DrydenWire.com that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of an Alabama man following the recent break-in at the Shell Lake Cenex (Synergy Co-op) in the early morning hours of November 20, 2017.

Randy L. Hammett, of Birmingham, Alabama has been charged in Washburn County Circuit Court with Class F Felony Burglary of a Building and with Class G Felony Theft of Movable Property, valued at more than $10,000.

According to the criminal complaint, the Shell Lake Police Department (assisted by the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office and other area law enforcement) was able to identify Randy Hammett as the suspect in the break-in after reviewing surveillance video footage and tracking down the owner of the truck which was captured on video.

When officers arrived at the scene after the break-in was reported, they saw that the right side front glass door was completely smashed out. A review of surveillance video showed the suspect taking cigarettes off the shelves. The man then walked over to the safe and removed the cash bags and rolls of change from the safe, which apparently had a defective lock on it.

The criminal complaint states that over $12,000 cash was reported as stolen from the safe in the Cenex store, along with nearly $200 worth of cigarettes.

The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department was able to confirm the owner of the truck and put that individual in contact with the Shell Lake Police Department. The owner stated that Randy Hammett had used their truck on the night in question. When he returned he had at least one carton of cigarettes. Hammett also reportedly had posted photos on Facebook of $10,000 cash. When questioned about the cash, the truck owner stated that Hammett claimed to have won the cash at the LCO casino. However, the criminal complaint goes on to state that when law enforcement contacted the casino, the casino advised that they keep a record of any wins in excess of $1,200, and they had no such record of Hammett winning.

The owner of the truck also told law enforcement that Hammett had taken a flight back to Alabama and that Hammett said he intended to use the cash to purchase a vehicle.

**Previous Post**

Washburn County Sheriff's Office Seeking Public's Help Identifying Subject

Monday, November 20, 2017 | DrydenWire

The Washburn County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in identifying the subject pictured after the Shell Lake Cenex was burglarized this morning between 2a and 3a.

Washburn County Sheriff Terry Dryden said that a "substantial amount of cash was taken from the safe along with some cigarettes. It appears to be a lone male who broke the front door to get in. The photos are not the best quality but do your best and let me know what kind of vehicle you think it is etc. It appears to be a heavier P/U with a white tailgate."