Bellaire — Dick Brown bought a new chainsaw and plans to purchase another rifle.
He also replaced the lock and added an extra deadbolt to his storage building. Brown, like many other Antrim County residents, was forced to restock items and take extra precautions after falling victim to a recent string of home invasions.
Burglars stole Brown's chainsaw and hunting rifle in November after they kicked in the door of his storage building along Clam Lake Road in Bellaire.
"They didn't even bother to take the bullets," he said.
Two Antrim County men face a lengthy list of felony charges after authorities said they connected them to a criminal enterprise that organized a series of regional home invasions. Thieves then swapped stolen goods for drugs, police contend.
Authorities this week charged Andrew Taylor Kent, 24, of Bellaire, with three counts of second-degree home invasion, breaking and entering a building with intent, receiving and/or concealing a firearm, felony firearm and conducting a criminal enterprise.
Adam Carl Calo, 25, of Mancelona, faces identical charges — all of which are felonies. The criminal enterprise charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine.
Kent and Calo participated in six home invasions last fall across Antrim and Kalkaska counties, authorities said. The suspects took copper pipes and wires from the basement of a Conrad Road home, along with DVDs from a Clam Lake Road cabin, and firearms, a saw and a leaf blower from a Kalkaska residence, court records show.
Kattie Renna-Smith Leffingwell, 25, of Kalkaska, also is linked to the criminal enterprise, court records show.
Kent was held in the Antrim County Jail on unrelated charges, and sheriff's deputies arrested Calo on Tuesday.
Deputies investigated numerous home invasion cases since last fall, said Sheriff Dan Bean.
"We were inundated in October, November and December," Bean said. "It was pretty overwhelming."
Authorities last month also charged Christopher Alan Murday and John Charles-Brandon Ladere with two counts of second-degree home invasion, two counts of larceny in a building and a count of breaking and entering. They were linked to multiple Antrim County burglaries, and are accused of stealing snowmobiles and other items.
Sheriff's officials continue to probe whether Murday and Ladere were tied to Kent and Calo's alleged operation.
"I wouldn't say that's not possible," Bean said.
Region
Related Photos
-
Adam Calo Special to the Record-Eagle
-
Andrew Kent Special to the Record-Eagle
Police: Thieves traded stolen goods for drugs
-
-
Disabled man killed in blaze
Heavy smoke and flames rebuffed attempts by family, neighbors, police and fire officials to rescue a disabled man stranded in his Kalkaska Township home.
Continued ... -
Woman pleads guilty to animal cruelty
The frozen carcasses of two horses lay in Danelle Marie Round's pasture on the day she pleaded guilty to a single animal cruelty misdemeanor.
Continued ... -
Charged teacher waives exam, denied bond
A former Traverse City schoolteacher waived a preliminary examination and remains in jail on a charge of having sex with a student.
Continued ... -
BATA: 'Don't know how much money we will receive'
County transportation authorities are criticizing a federal bill they say could hurt state mass transit funding by putting it on year-to-year life cycle.
Continued ... -
Third Level offers suicide alertness workshop
Third Level Crisis Intervention Center will offer a one-day workshop for people who want to help those at risk of suicide.
Continued ... -
DNA ties Holly man to 2009 break-in
Authorities issued an arrest warrant for a Holly man whose DNA ties him to a 2009 Traverse City break-in.
Continued ... -
Man arraigned in late-night chase
A man shot by police Taser after a late-night chase was arraigned in 86th District Court.
Continued ... -
Trojan debate team receives $30,000 grant
A local foundation donated $30,000 to Traverse City Central High School's debate team.
Continued ... - Friday, February 10, 2012
-
One dead in Kalkaska blaze
Fire and police officials found a victim about 3:30 p.m. today inside a Kalkaska Township home engulfed by flames.
Continued ... -
Vasa brings skiers, business
Skiers aren't the only ones thrilled the annual Vasa race will proceed despite warm temperatures and little snow.
Continued ... -
Sparks fly over TCLP substation plan
Traverse City Light & Power wants a new southside substation to shore up its electric system, but Mayor Michael Estes fears the big site is a Trojan horse for a new power plant.
Continued ... -
Grand Traverse freezes pay for officials
Grand Traverse County plans to freeze elected officials' salaries and eliminate a car allowance in 2013 because of continued uncertainty over its revenue stream.
Continued ... -
Blair man accused of meat-fork threat
A Blair Township man was arrested for assault after police said he threatened his girlfriend with a meat-carving fork.
Continued ... -
Drop-off recycling site relocating
A drop-off recycling site on LaFranier Road is being relocated.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 9, 2012
-
Ex-TC teacher to waive exam in sex case
A Traverse City teacher accused of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a student is expected to waive a preliminary examination in 86th District Court.
Continued ... -
A changing of the guard in GT County
The 2012 elections will bring a major change of the Grand Traverse County guard. The county's long-time clerk, treasurer and prosecutor won't seek re-election this year — three officials whose combined county experience spans more than 90 years.
Continued ... -
Janik tapped for Leelanau administrator
Chet Janik hopes to come home. The Leelanau County board offered its administrator job to Chet Janik, who came to Leelanau as a child when his parents emigrated from Poland.
Continued ... -
Dog park backers plan fundraisers
Dog park supporters raised more than a third of a $15,000 goal just a month into efforts to pay for Traverse City's first park for pets. Work continues to bring in the remaining money.
Continued ... -
Police: Man breaks up fight with gun
Police said a man on Traverse City's east side tried to stop a fight outside his home with a handgun.
Continued ... -
Tased man charged as habitual offender
A man stunned by police Taser in a home invasion incident was arraigned in 86th District Court.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 8, 2012
-
Body of missing fisherman found
Authorities say a dive team has recovered the body of a 33-year-old fisherman who fell through the ice of a pond near Mesick.
Continued ... -
Pears to replace dead ash trees
Downtown streets in the Cherry Capital soon will bloom with the color of another fruit.
Continued ... -
Vasa trail in good shape for weekend
Despite unseasonably warm temperatures and a lack of significant snowfall, the 36th annual North American Vasa cross country ski race is on for this weekend.
Continued ... -
Acme officials defer Meijer decision
Acme Township officials deferred a decision on a long-proposed Meijer store along M-72 until a special meeting in two weeks.
Continued ... -
Parks smoking ban on hold in TC
City Commissioner Jim Carruthers wants more time to work on smoking rules at city parks.
Continued ...
-
