Home invasion leads to two arrests in Niles

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. – Two people were arrested Wednesday for an alleged home invasion and armed robbery that happened in February, the Niles Police Department reported.

On February 25 at 10:20 p.m., officers were called to an apartment complex in the 700 block of Broadway Street for reports of a home invasion with a shot being fired.

When officers arrived on scene, they found two, 21-year-old male victims who were allegedly assaulted during the invasion, police said.

The victims said they were also allegedly robbed of marijuana, cash, and personal property, reports said.

One of the suspects in the incident was allegedly armed with a knife while the other was allegedly armed with a handgun, reports said.

At least one shot was allegedly fired by the second suspect during the incident, police said.

Both victims were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. One victim was later flown to an Indianapolis hospital due to the extent of his injuries.

Both victims were physically assaulted and did not sustain injuries from the gun shot, police said.

During the investigation, detectives with the Police Department and the Michigan State Police discovered a third victim who allegedly left the apartment before police arrived, reports said.

This victim had allegedly been assaulted during the home invasion and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, officers said.

As the investigation continued, detectives identified the alleged suspects of the case, 46-year-old Randy McGrath and 45-year-old Larry Sarters.

In the early morning hours of March 17, detectives performed search warrants at the residences of both suspects.

During the searches, investigators found a handgun, marijuana, and cash at both homes, reports said.

Detectives said they discovered that the motive for the incident may have been in response to the victims stealing marijuana and other products from the suspects.

McGrath faces the following charges and has a $300,000 cash bond, police said:

1 count of home invasion

2 counts of robbery armed

2 counts of great bodily harm

Sarters faces the following charges and has a $250,000 cash bond, police said:

1 count of home invasion

2 counts of robbery armed

2 counts of great bodily harm

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