SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Two adults and two juveniles are facing charges in Chippewa County for a string of break-ins and thefts at various locations throughout the summer.
On Wednesday, Sept. 4 around 6 a.m., the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department was called to the Krist Oil Gas Station on 1101 Riverview Way. Officers determined two adults and one juvenile broke into the building and took over $17,000 worth of merchandise and left about $4,500 worth of damage to the building in the process.
Melissa Cowling, 43, and Julia Linville-Drake, 18, were arrested and charged. After an investigation that included multiple search warrants, police identified Cowling, Linville-Drake, and a different juvenile as suspects in a string of break-in crimes that occurred at various youth sports concession stands throughout the summer, including the James Field concession stand, the McClellan Pavilion concession stand, the Sault Little League concession stand and fieldhouse, and the A.J. VanCitter’s Athletic Field concession stand and press box. The total value of the items stolen was over $20,000, and the total damage done to the various buildings is estimated to be over $10,000.
Cowling and Linville-Drake were ultimately both charged with conducting a criminal enterprise, a felony. They are each under a $50,000 bond and are set to be arraigned in 50th Circuit Court on Dec. 3.
Both juveniles involved were also charged and will be processed through the 50th Circuit Court Family Division. Their names will not be released.
“We recognize the negative impact these crimes had on our community,” the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department wrote in a press release. “The items stolen from the concession stands were the property of and donated to the youth of our community. These crimes will not be tolerated. We thank our community for their assistance with these investigations.”
Assisting in the investigation were Chippewa County Central Dispatch, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, Sault Tribe Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
