Two suspects are in custody after allegedly breaking into several convenience stores in southern Berrien County early Wednesday. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says deputies were first called to the Oak Dairy store in Niles and found the front door window had been broken and liquor, cigarettes, and money taken. While still at the scene, they were notified of smash and grab robberies at three Buchanan gas stations and stores. Another then came in about the Galien Pro Mart, and deputies nearby arrived at the scene to find a vehicle with two people leaving. A 15 minute chase then began on US-12. Stop sticks disabled the suspect vehicle and the two suspects tried to run, but were caught by police. They’re identified as 26-year-old Maleik Johnson out of Chicago and 24-year-old Lashan Wyatt of Hammond, Indiana. They’re now facing charges including fleeing and eluding, breaking and entering, possession of a stolen vehicle, and resisting and obstructing. Police say they have confirmed the two suspects committed four of the five break-ins. The sheriff’s department says it “appears that both subjects are part of a large crime ring that has been committing similar break-ins and thefts in over 150 incidents in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and lower Wisconsin.”
