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Elkhorn man pleads not guilty to burglaries

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Steven Wynstra

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Dustin Krueger

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Jade J. Juhlin

ELKHORN — One of the three Elkhorn men accused of burglarizing 10 homes earlier this year pleaded not guilty to the crimes Thursday.

In March, the Walworth County District Attorney's Office issued charges of two counts of felony burglary for Steven S. Wynstra, 20; Dustin J. Krueger, 20; and Jade J. Juhlin, 20, all of Elkhorn. The trio was apprehended while committing a burglary March 10, according to police.

The three later admitted burglarizing eight other homes in the same area, according to the criminal complaint. Krueger told police the men entered summer homes in the Lauderdale Lakes area mostly during the day, according to the complaint.

In April, the three were charged with eight felony counts of burglary for those crimes.

Thursday, Wynstra entered a not-guilty plea to all charges. Juhlin has yet to enter a plea, which he is expected to do at an arraignment Wednesday, June 9.

Krueger pleaded guilty to two charges and will be sentenced July 23. The other six charges were dismissed but read into the record.

If convicted, each man faces up to 12.5 years in prison for each count.

According to the criminal complaint:

The burglaries were committed between Thanksgiving and March in the towns of La Grange and Lafayette. The trio is accused of taking items such as televisions, cameras, an electric piano, video game systems, food and alcohol.

Two victims told police they left their home around Thanksgiving and returned around March 3, noticing several items missing. Among the items were a 42-inch television, binoculars, a camera and a bottle of whiskey.

Another victim said he was missing several bottles of alcohol, kitchen knives, a video game system, about 30 video games, fishing poles and a Swiss army knife.

A third victim said someone took a laundry basket, several cases of beer and soda and frozen pizza from his home.

Krueger told police the trio was selling the electronics and televisions to friends.