GRAYLING – A Grayling man has been arraigned on two felony charges—safe breaking and possession of burglary tools—following a long-term investigation into thefts at state forest campgrounds. The arraignment took place Friday in Crawford County’s 87-C District Court.
Andrew William Michalak, 54, is accused of stealing money from campground payment collection sites, known as pay pipes, where campers deposit cash.
According to a statement from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), conservation officers, with assistance from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Michalak on May 22. The arrest followed an investigation that spanned several years and focused on thefts occurring during high-traffic periods at multiple state forest campgrounds.
Conservation officers were able to identify a suspect removing items from pay pipes and tracked the vehicle involved. A coordinated traffic stop led to the recovery of stolen cash and burglary tools from Michalak’s vehicle. He later admitted to using a specialized tool and an electronic device to extract money from two pay pipes and confessed to similar thefts across the region earlier this year.
Michalak was taken into custody during the stop and lodged in the Crawford County Jail. The case is currently under review by the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office. A future court date will be scheduled.
