All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Riverton, WY) – 18-year-old Riverton resident Darren Shakespeare faces both burglary and property destruction and defacement felony charges, for an alleged incident occurring on October 3rd, 2021.
Shakespeare faces these charges after reportedly breaking into an area establishment with a juvenile accomplice, which resulted in stolen bottles of alcohol and $1,000 in damages.
Sufficient probable cause was found at Shakespeare’s preliminary hearing, and as of January 4th the case was moved to District Court, with an arraignment date set for February 3rd.
On the morning of October 3rd, a Riverton Police Department (RPD) officer responded to a call from an area bar for reports of a burglary.
Upon investigating the scene, the officer discovered the drive through window had been broken into and the metal gate window cover had been damaged.
There the officer noticed a blood smear on a broken shard of glass, which was then entered into evidence.
Another window in a different part of the building was also discovered to be busted in an effort to gain access to the building.
After obtaining surveillance footage from the business, the officer observed the break-in, which occurred earlier that morning at 5:33 AM.
The footage reportedly shows a male hitting the west-side window with a vehicle jack stand, with the juvenile attempting to pull the bars on the window.
After unsuccessfully attempting to gain entry this way, the individuals then proceeded to break out the glass of the drive through window and dislodge the metal covering.
The male was reportedly seen making his way into the building through the window, where he then grabbed “a few bottles of alcohol.”
The male was then observed exiting through the broken window, rubbing his back on the area where the blood had been located.
The subjects were not initially able to be identified from the surveillance footage, however, both were later positively identified after the video was posted on the business’s social media account.
RPD later attempted to make contact with Shakespeare at the Fort Washakie Detention Center on October 14th, but he refused to leave his cell or talk to the officer.
Shakespeare’s arraignment has been set for February 3rd.
The maximum penalty for a burglary felony charge is a $10,000 fine and 10 years imprisonment.
The maximum penalty for a property destruction and defacement felony charge is a $10,000 fine and 10 years imprisonment.
County 10 will provide more information on the case as it becomes available, which can be viewed here.