A Casper man is accused of breaking into a liquor store.

Joseph Rieke has pleaded not guilty to one count of burglary and one count of property destruction.

Investigators with the Casper Police Department say in late March, Rieke and a friend went to Outlet Liquor on North Poplar Street near I-25, while the store was closed.

Both men discovered a large hole had been busted into the wall of the store, and Rieke asked for help getting in, but his friend refused and Rieke managed to get in on his own.

The manager of the store arrived a short time later to open up the place for the day, and she noticed the wall had been breached and saw the silhouette of a man outside.

Rieke's friend had left to call police.

Officers found Rieke a short time later sleeping on the lawn of the Dairy Queen on Poplar Street, and they observed remnants of drywall pieces on his clothing.

Rieke refused to speak with investigators.

Evidence technicians collected DNA samples from Rieke and it was determined that he had a blood alcohol content of .171 at the time.

He is awaiting trial on $5,000 bond, and could face up to 10 years in prison on each charge if convicted.

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