by Danielle Quisenberry Jackson Citizen Patriot
Monday September 14, 2009, 11:58 PM
Three people police suspect have been behind at least nine area break-ins have been charged with home invasion.
Robert Coffey, 33; his brother, John Joseph Coffey, 25; and Robert Coffey's former wife, Jennifer Sue Coffey, 27, were arraigned Friday on a charge they invaded a home in Parma Township. Each faces one count of second-degree home invasion, a felony with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and $3,000.
More charges are anticipated in the next few days, according to a Jackson County Sheriff's Office news release.
The three are accused of breaking into seven homes in Jackson County and two in Ingham County in the past month.
They would knock on doors during the day; if no one was home, they would kick the door or use a prying instrument to gain entry, according to the statement. The three allegedly stole jewelry, electronics, TVs, rare coins, cash, tools and firearms.
Jackson County deputies, assisted by Blackman Township public safety officers, arrested Robert Coffey and Jennifer Coffey on Wednesday after a home invasion in the Leslie area, where a family had returned to find people removing items.
Ingham County sheriff's deputies alerted other police agencies after they obtained a getaway vehicle's description.
John Coffey was arrested the same day in the Vandercook Lake area, Jackson County Undersheriff Tom Finco said.
Robert Coffey already had two open felony cases in Jackson County Circuit Court at the time of his arrest. He pleaded guilty earlier this month to a separate, second-degree home invasion charge and is awaiting sentencing. He also pleaded guilty to a drug possession charge in September.
Jennifer Coffey pleaded guilty in May to a misdemeanor drug charge. That case also remains open.
http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2009/09/three_people_charged_in_string.html
