Couple charged for break-in, stealing items, cashing checks

CHIPPEWA FALLS — A Chippewa County couple have been charged for breaking into a home, stealing items, and cashing checks.

Jacob S. Pedersen, 34, 13555 270th St., Cadott, and Nicole M. Schlageter, 44, 604 Ravenswood Ct., Cornell, were each charged in Chippewa County Court with possession of a firearm by a felon, theft of movable property, identity theft, uttering a forgery, possession of meth, and criminal damage to property. In addition, Pedersen was charged with burglary while armed with a dangerous weapon.

Pedersen is being held in the Chippewa County Jail on an $11,000 cash bond; he will return to court March 27. Schlageter posted a $2,000 cash bond; she will return to court April 17.

According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement learned of a home break-in in the town of Arthur that occurred between Jan. 18 and Jan. 31. The resident was out of state for the winter; a family member who was checking on the home called police after the break-in was discovered.

Court records show Pedersen was convicted of possession of meth and forgery, which are felonies, in Chippewa County Court in 2022. He was sentenced to one year in state prison. He also was convicted of theft of movable property in 2020 in Chippewa County, and he was convicted of maintaining a drug trafficking place in Eau Claire County Court in 2017. Felons are not allowed to possess guns.

On Feb. 8, an area bank notified the Cornell Police Department about fraud on the victim’s bank accounts. Between Jan. 31 and Feb. 8, $16,700 was transferred from the victim’s accounts into accounts by either Pedersen or Schlageter, either by a check or through the Zelle transfer service.

Schlageter and Pedersen showed up at the back on Feb. 7 with another check made out for $3,000 but the bank declined to cash it, and they kept possession of the check. The bank’s surveillance system showed footage of the couple who were positively identified as Schlageter and Pedersen.

Police pulled over a car Feb. 12 with the couple inside. In Pedersen’s wallet was a check from the victim’s account that was made out to Pedersen. Methamphetamine was also located in the car.

In the trunk of the vehicle were items belonging to the victim, including coins, jewelry, a sword and a violin.

In an interview with law enforcement, Pedersen admitted to the theft from the home. He admitted to selling additional items taken from the home on eBay, as well as taking other items to an area pawn shop. He also admitted to stealing two firearms from the residence.

A search of their home was conducted, where officers found more items belonging to the victim, including coins, watches and baseball cards. Two guns were later located at a storage unit rented by Schlageter.