A Fife Lake man suspected in a series of vehicle break-ins in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was arraigned last week.

Brian L. Janssen, 42, 11702 Marsh Rd., Fife Lake, was charged through a video arraignment procedure in the Antrim County Jail on Sept. 4 on four counts of breaking and entering a vehicle causing damage and as a habitual offender. He is currently lodged in the Antrim County Jail on vehicle breaking and entering charges in Antrim and Grand Traverse counties as well. His bond is set at $250,000 cash. A preliminary hearing on the Leelanau County charges is scheduled for tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.

According to court records and county Sheriff’s Detective R. Clint Kerr, Janssen allegedly broke into four vehicles once each on June 7 and June 8, and two vehicles on June 27 at different locations within the Lakeshore. The break-ins were investigated by National Park Service rangers. In each vehicle break-in, police believe Janssen smashed a window by using a spark plug.

Kerr said Monday that Janssen was arrested in Antrim County last month on similar charges and allegedly admitted to vehicle break-ins throughout northwest lower Michigan, including at the Lakeshore.

Kerr added that Janssen was brought to the different crime scenes and reviewed details of the break-ins with investigating Park Service rangers, and was able to help them recover some of the items taken from the vehicles. The break-ins occurred at the North Bar Lake parking area, twice at the parking area at Pyramid Point, and once at the end of County Road 669 at Lake Michigan.

Janssen was previously convicted of larceny from a motor vehicle on Jan. 23, 1995, in 13th Circuit Court in Leland. He was also previously convicted of breaking and entering a motor vehicle in 44th Circuit Court in Howell on June 12, 1995 and in 13th Circuit Court in Traverse City on Sept. 17, 2002.

Janssen faces a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and or a $10,000 fine on any of the four breaking and entering charges. If the habitual offender clause is invoked, he faces a maximum penalty of up to life in prison.