Howell Man Confronts Intruder, Alerts Police to Breaking and Entering

A Howell man is credited for alerting the authorities to a breaking and entering in a vacant home after seeing a suspicious man walking around the property. 

The incident took place on Sept. 8, according to a report from the Livingston County Sheriff's Department, when the Howell man, parked at the Mobil Gas Station near I-96, saw the suspect walk behind a residence that he knew was vacant because he knew the owner. 

The home, located on the 1200 block of Pinckney Rd., is being re-modeled and police say the Howell man followed the suspect to the rear of the home where he found a broken window and saw the suspect inside. 

After confronting the suspect, the Howell man called 911 and the property owner, according to the report. 

Police say the suspect, a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania, had traveled to Michigan after seeing a Craigslist ad for a band member, but had nowhere to stay after arriving in town. 

According to the report, the suspect was told by an unknown man that the house was abandoned and he could stay there. 

After breaking a window with a tree branch, the Pennsylvania man told police that when he saw the inside of the house was dirty he decided to leave, but was approached by the Howell man. 

The suspect was arrested and lodged in the Livingston County Jail.