Novak Enters Plea in Burglary Spree

10/27/11 – A former Mayville woman has entered a “no contest” plea to charges related to her role in a series of Dodge County tavern break-ins. Michelle Novak of Lyndon Station pleaded “no contest” to a felony count of Burglary back in June and had two other felonies dismissed but read into the record. The 33-year-old and two others broke into the Dockside Pub and Grille in the Town of Westford in January, Jumpers Bar in the Town of Beaver Dam in February and Chances Bar in the Town of Burnett in March. Thousands of dollars was stolen from poker machines, ATM’s and safes. 45-year-old Thomas Dahlgren of Mauston pleaded “no contest” to a pair of felonies in September and will be sentenced next month. Dahlgren was on probation for Attempted Homicide at the time of his arrest and is currently incarcerated at the Waupun Correctional Institution. Nicholas J. Etter of West Salem was sentenced last month to five years in prison and five years of extended supervision and ordered to pay $13,500 in restitution. According to the criminal complaint, Novak admitted to being the getaway driver and lookout. Etter admitted that he was involved but blamed Dahlgren for orchestrating the break-ins. Novak has a sentencing hearing scheduled in February.