Houghton County Safebreaking Arraignments
Two suspects were arraigned in 97th District Court today after attempting to break into a bank ATM earlier this month.
ABC 10 Keweenaw Bureau reporter Rick Allen has the details on what the judge is saying may have been a crime spree.
Once again, 18–year–old Paden Rothenberger appeared in 97th district court on Wednesday for allegedly trying to rob a bank.
Rothenberger was charged earlier this week for the attempted break-in of the Superior National Bank in Chassell.
This time, the Jeffers High School senior from Atlantic Mine was charged with safebreaking.
Rothenberger’s parents were present in the courtroom.
They were about to post bond for their son on Monday when Rothenberger was arrested for trying to break into the ATM at the Miners State Bank in South Range in early October.
The judge told Rothenberger’s father that his son is in a lot of trouble.
The judge combined the bonds for all of the charges against Rothenberger, giving him the opportunity to be released.
Mr. Rothenberger said he would do his best to keep his son in school.
The judge warned that Rothenberger is on a very short leash.
20–year–old Gordon Lewis of Dollar Bay was also arrested for the South Range bank incident.
Lewis had been out on bond with charges pending from an alleged break-in at the Michigan Tech Student Development Complex.
Lewis denied having anything to do with trying to break into the ATM.
He was also charged with safebreaking and his bond remained at $25,000.
Preliminary exams for both Rothenberger and Lewis were set for October 31st.