Rapid response to a burglar alarm early today produced solid results for Sheriff's Deputies and State Police Troopers at a Niles night club. Three men are in custody and charged with breaking and entering following the early morning bust.
Berrien County Sheriff's Captain Robert Boyce III says a 4:30am alarm at Jay's Lounge on South 11th Street in Niles triggered response from three police officers who showed up to find forced entry had been made into the bar and music club. Fanning out to determine what was going on, authorities found one man in the parking lot, another inside the business and nailed the third guy across the street.
Police say 25 year old Andrew Koehler of Auburn, Michigan was found inside Jay's Lounge and he is charged with breaking & entering a building with the intent to commit larceny. In the parking lot, 26 year old Scott Kopis of Elburn, Illinois was arrested and is charged not only with breaking & entering with intent to commit larceny, but also for resisting & obstructing a police officer.
Determining that a third party was involved in the break-in, police arrested 26 year old Michael Acker of Coleman, Michigan across the street from Jay's Lounge, and charged him with breaking & entering with intent to commit larceny as well as a second charge of disturbing the peace.
Crime Scene Technicians from the Berrien County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene to assist in evidence recovery which helped determined that all three men were responsible for the break-in.
All three have been lodged in the Berrien County Jail pending arraignment in Berrien County Trial Court. There was no immediate indication as to what, if anything, had been removed by the thieves from the business which is located at 3025 S. 11th Street in Niles Township.
