Full Notification

On Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at approximately 5:30 P.M., Columbia Township Police were dispatched to an address on White Road in Columbia Township for a home burglary. Officer Rick Rodden responded as the primary officer, and he was assisted by Officer Jeff Anderson.

The victim arrived home, just prior to calling 911, to find the home had been burglarized. The suspect had broken a side window to the residence, ransacked the residence, and left with jewelry, prescription drugs, and other items. Officer Rodden was able to locate several pieces of evidence, as well as determine that the suspect had cut himself entering through the broken window. Officer Rodden was relaying information to Officer Anderson, who was arriving in the area to assist.

Officer Anderson located a subject walking in the area, and as he investigated further, he determined this subject had a cut on his forearm, and had blood on his clothing. The suspect was Michael Dennis Armstrong, 52 years, and he resided in the area, approximately 1 mile from the burglarized home.

Officers Rodden and Anderson investigated further, going to where Armstrong resided. In his room, they located jewelry and other items stolen from the residence on White road, including an item inscribed with the victim’s name on it, as well as prescription drugs. Additionally, bloody clothing was located and seized as evidence. Michael Armstrong was then taken in to custody, and lodged at the Jackson County Jail on charges of Burglary.

On Thursday, August 30, 2012, Armstrong was charged by the Jackson County Prosecutor with 2nd degree home invasion, a 15 year felony, and receiving and concealing stolen property valued between $1,000 and $20,000, a 5 year felony. He has been arraigned, and is being held on $10,000 bond.

It is noteworthy to mention that on approximately March 20, 2011, Michael Armstrong was arrested by Columbia Township Police approximately 12 hours after committing a similar burglary in the Village of Brooklyn. In that case, the burglary occurred in the early A.M. hours, while the elderly resident was asleep in her bed. At that time, Armstrong confronted the victim in her bedroom before fleeing the scene. He was charged with Home Invasion in that crime, and charges were ultimately dismissed, without prejudice (meaning they could be re-issued) as it was alleged that he was unable to comprehend the charges and assist with his defense.

Consequently those charges from March 20, 2011, have also been re-authorized, charging Armstrong with 1st Degree Home Invasion, a 20 year felony, and receiving and concealing stolen property valued between $1,000 and $20,000, a 5 year felony. This warrant has been signed, but as of the writing of this press release, he had not yet been arraigned.