Charges amended in theft of women's clothing

Charges have been amended against the man accused of stealing women’s clothing items in Marquette County.

The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office and the Marquette County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office are working together in the case of the suspect, William Joseph Miller, age 48, of Republic (Witch Lake).

Two of the original misdemeanor charges of Larceny of $200 or more but less than $1,000 have been amended to include notices of being a second or subsequent offense, resulting in the charges being enhanced to felony charges punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000.00 fine on each count.  Count three of the amended complaint against Miller remains a misdemeanor charge of breaking & entering a vehicle to steal property less than $200.00, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and/or $500 fine.

Bond has been set at $5,000.00 cash or surety on each of the three charges and a preliminary examination has been scheduled forAugust 14, 2012at10:00 am.  Mr. Miller remains lodged in the Marquette County Jail.  The Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation in this case.

Authorities say at least ten separate incidents occurred where female undergarments and swim wear were stolen from victims in the Witch Lake area of southern Marquette County.  In eight separate incidents, clothing items were taken from clothes lines at camps on Witch Lake.  Officers believe two separate incidents involved clothing being removed from vehicles.