ESCANABA - One of two defendants involved in a break-in in Rapid River this spring pleaded guilty to attempted larceny during a plea agreement in Delta County Circuit Court Friday.
Zackary John Delaney, 21, of Escanaba, was arrested along with co-defendant Robert Westerlund, 22, also of Escanaba, after they allegedly broke into property at a camp on Y Road in Masonville Township on April 15.
When a male and female arrived at the scene on ATVs, the suspects fled in their pick-up trucks, said Michigan State Police from the Gladstone Post. Westerlund allegedly rammed an ATV with his truck, forcing the male ATV operator to jump to safety, said troopers.
During Friday's plea hearing in circuit court, Delaney admitted going to the camp with his "buddy" who broke into a shed. Delaney said he assisted the other subject in removing items from the building.
When the witnesses arrived on the ATVs, Delaney said his buddy took off on foot without his vehicle. Delaney said he picked him up and brought him back to his truck. Delaney said while he was leaving the scene, he went around a tree to avoid hitting the female ATV operator.
Prosecuting Attorney Steve Parks mentioned the other defendant was boxed in by a four-wheeler and used his truck to damage the ATV then fled the scene.
Westerlund was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault), larceny in a building, and breaking and entering. He is scheduled for a preliminary examination in district court on July 19.
In exchange for Delaney's guilty plea on Friday, the prosecution agreed to dismiss two original charges of breaking and entering a building with intent and larceny in a building. An added count of breaking and entering without breaking with intent was also dismissed.
Both Delaney and Westerlund remained lodged in the county jail as of Friday afternoon.
Delaney is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 6 in circuit court.