Traverse City Record-Eagle

Cheboygan County

April 19, 2008

Fourth suspect held in break-ins

4 accused in series of breaking, entering crimes

BY SHERI McWHIRTER

CHEBOYGAN -- A fourth suspect was arrested in a two-year investigation of racketeering activity in Cheboygan, Emmet and Presque Isle counties.

Police learned a series of breaking and entering crimes in the fall of 2006 allegedly had been committed by a crew of serial thieves who focused on commercial properties and safe-breaking. Four people now face charges for the racketeering activity, police said.

"They were very active and did a number of safe break-ins in multiple businesses," said Detective Sgt. Ron Nightingale, of the Michigan State Police post in Cheboygan.

Levi Isaiah Ditta, 26, of Florida, was arrested Wednesday for conducting a criminal enterprise, conspiracy, safe-breaking and breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime. He was extradited to Michigan on a parole violation after serving time in a Florida prison for theft crimes, officials said.

Ditta currently is held in a Michigan prison while awaiting trial for the alleged 2006 break-ins, including Johnnies Bar in Cheboygan. This is the second time he's faced charges for stealing from that business, officials said.

"I hope they really give him some time," said Kris Woodgate, co-owner of the tavern.

Ditta already was sentenced in 2002 to more than two years in prison for breaking into Johnnies and a couple other businesses included again in the 2006 thefts, Nightingale said.

Three other suspects previously were arrested and charged in the racketeering enterprise, including Gerald Benton, 36, of Florida, Rebecca Glazier, 27, of Remus, and Marsha Lou Pettyjohn, 26, of Cheboygan. Glazier and Pettyjohn were arrested last year for helping Ditta and Benton commit the crimes, police said.

Both Ditta and Benton formerly lived in Cheboygan and fled to Florida before police could arrest them for the 2006 break-ins, Nightingale said.

Benton, Glazier and Pettyjohn all took plea bargains, court records show.

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