Sergeant Mike Miller
Die Sand Manufacturing, located at 500 Wolverine in Rockford, was broken into during the early morning hours of June 14, 2012. Scrap metals stored in the building were taken by the burglar and later recovered from Enterprise Metal and Iron Company, located in Grand Rapids.
Officer Derek Haan and Sergeant Mike Miller began checking with local scrap yards upon learning of the break-in and were able to develop information that Nicholas James Dean, 26, of East Grand Rapids, had traded the metal for cash that same morning.
Rockford officers with the assistance of East Grand Rapids DPS officers watched Dean’s house, located on Burchard SE, and, upon
Officer Derek Haan
his return home, Dean was taken into custody. Dean was interviewed and he admitted to the burglary as well as other similar break-ins near Byron Center.
Officers searched Dean’s home and automobile, where other evidence, including burglar tools, was collected by the investigators. Dean is a person of interest in several business break-ins that occurred in the Rockford Industrial Park at the beginning of June. Investigators are awaiting results of forensic analysis of evidence of those burglaries.
Dean was charged with breaking and entering, and was lodged at the Kent County Jail on a $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing will be held in the 63rd District Court next week.
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