A man found hiding in a bowling alley’s basement said he broke in because he needed money for rent and a fix.

Brandon J. Bucher, 25, Waupaca, is charged with burglary, attempted burglary, possession of a controlled substance, four counts of criminal damage to property and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Shortly before 7 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, officers responded to a motion alarm at Nelson’s Strike Zone, a bowling alley on Oak Street in Waupaca.

When they arrived, police found a damaged glass door and a broken window. They also found damaged chairs.

When the officers searched the building, they located Bucher hiding in the basement.

Officers reported that Bucher had a drug kit – needle, tie band, tin cooker and a plastic bag with one Adderall – in his pocket.

Bucher also had a set of keys to a silver Impala. When the officers told Bucher that his vehicle would be towed, he reportedly said he did not have any money to pay for the tow, which is why he broke into the building to rob it.

Waupaca Police Officers Diane Flatoff and Sam Van Dinter questioned Bucher at the Waupaca County jail later that morning.

According to the criminal complaint, Bucher said he was broke and had been “driving around for about an hour, thinking about bills, drugs and ‘how was I going to get my next fix.’”

Bucher told the officers he was addicted to heroin and had not used any for more than a day. He also needed money for rent.

Bucher said he tried unsuccessfully to smash the glass door with two chairs, but it would not break. He then walked around the building and used his gloved hand to punch out the front window, the complaint says.

Bucher reportedly entered through the broken window, searched the building, but could not find anything that he could steal and sell. While he was searching the basement, Bucher heard footsteps upstairs and hid.