Woman arrested after kicking down door to enter home

By Brandi Makuski

A Stevens Point woman has been accused of breaking into a home while she was intoxicated.

Tara Matthews, 37, made her initial appearance in Portage Co. Circuit Court on Monday with defense attorney Eric Sheets, waiving the reading of the complaint against her. Charges against her include criminal trespass to a dwelling and criminal damage to property, which each carry a maximum sentence of nine months in jail.

Police responded to the 600 block of Franklin St. after a resident said he saw an unknown woman, later identified as Matthews, break into his neighbor’s home at 1:45 p.m. on March 14.

She reportedly kicked in the front door to gain access to the home, according to the complaint. She then exited the home and began to kick the garage door, then walked around the back yard for several moments before leaving.

Matthews appeared to be intoxicated, the neighbor told police, adding she “had difficulty standing”.

Police notified the homeowner, who confirmed nothing had been stolen from the home.

After a brief search of the area, police located Matthews inside the lodge at Bukolt Park. She was “screaming to herself and appeared disoriented”, the complaint said. Her boot print also reportedly matched one she left on the Franklin St. garage door.

She was treated for a “possible drug reaction”, the complaint said, and was booked into the Portage Co. Jail.

Matthews is free on a $350 cash bond. She returns to court May 21.