Suspects arraigned on breaking and entering charges

CADILLAC - Two Traverse City men were arraigned in Grand Traverse District Court Wednesday in connection to a rash of breaking and enterings that occurred in as many as six northern Michigan counties including Wexford County.

Thomas John Stebbins, 23, and Paul Dallas Lemcool, 18, were arraigned on charges of breaking and entering a building with intent and safe breaking.

Maximum penalty for breaking and entering a building with intent is 10 years in prison while safe breaking carries a penalty of life in prison, upon conviction.

Both men stood mute to the charges and pleas of not-guilty were entered on their behalf.

Bond was set at $100,000 each.

Michigan State Police - Cadillac post Det. Sgt. Jeff Herweyer said the two have been confirmed as suspects in at least three break-ins that occurred in Mesick and Buckley earlier this month. The two men also may be connected to five other break-ins that occurred in the Cadillac area during September.

"The bottom line is that we are looking at upwards of 30 break-ins in as many as six counties and possibly more," Herweyer said. "Detectives with the state police posts in Cadillac and Traverse City and sheriff's departments in Grand Traverse County, Benzie County and Leelanau County, have all worked together on this and it has been an excellent joint effort."

In addition to the two suspects that have already been arrested, there are three other warrants pending for people who may have been involved in break-ins at various times, Herweyer said.

The breaking and enterings mostly occurred at commercial businesses and involved safe breaking in many instances, Herweyer said.

The suspects were pulled over in Grand Traverse County Tuesday, shortly after 10 p.m., on a routine traffic stop, according to Herweyer.

"All surrounding counties had a description of the type of vehicle we were looking for," Herweyer said.

When the vehicle was stopped, Grand Traverse Sheriff's Department deputies discovered the vehicle was occupied by the two suspects they believed to be involved in the rash of break-ins.

Deputies also saw possible burglary tools and possible stolen property inside the vehicle, Herweyer said.

The Grand Traverse Sheriff department had the vehicle towed and a search warrant was obtained for the vehicle, Herweyer said.

"They are innocent until proven guilty and court proceedings are pending," Herweyer said.