Charges on four B&Es adjourned until May 22 at 34th District Court

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
Van Buren Township Police have filed charges against Brian Bernard Baker, 17, for break-ins on four homes in Haggerty Subdivision, with a charge concerning a fifth break-in reportedly on the way.
Baker was due for preliminary exams on May 1 on the four break-ins on which he has been arraigned. He was transported from the Wayne County Jail to 34th District Court that morning and then transported right back because he wasn’t needed, according to court officials.
His preliminary exams are now scheduled for May 22 at 34th District Court.
Baker was initially charged with Home Invasion, 2nd Degree, after he was apprehended leaving 41408 Coolidge Street on April 12 with stolen goods in his possession.
Police said he confessed to four other break-ins.
When he was due for his preliminary exam on the original charge on April 24, he instead was arranged on three more charges, with the preliminary exams on all four set for May 1. Now it’s May 22.
The additional three charges are:
• Home Invasion, 2nd Degree, at 10991 Buchanan St. on Feb. 19;
• Home Invasion, 1st Degree; Larceny from the Person; Larceny in a Building; Weapons – Felony Firearm; on March 15 at 10637 Jackson Street; and
• Breaking and Entering a Building with Intent and Home Invasion, 2nd Degree (attempt) on March 25 at 11130 Van Buren St. (He allegedly broke into the garage, and tried to get into the house.)
Baker, who stood mute to the new charges, was in jail on a $25,000 cash bond for the original charge. The additional charges boosted the bond to $55,000.
A fifth charge has been approved by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office and will be added to the other charges, according to police.
The March 15 break-in on Jackson Street included Baker allegedly stealing a Smith & Wesson 357 revolver from the resident, James Laine, along with two laptops. Having the gun on his person during the robbery brought the felony firearm charge.
VBT Police said attorney McGuiness told them he planned to waive a preliminary exam on the April 12 charge, but to hold preliminary exams on the three other charges on which his client was arraigned.