Grosse Pointe Farms Break-in Suspect Arraigned

A 21-year-old Eastpointe man was arraigned Friday in Grosse Pointe District Court in connection with a .

Police said Rudy VanDenbroeck, who grew up in the Grosse Pointes, confessed to at least six of the break-ins, including those on Lake Shore, Edgemere, and McKinley. 

Public Safety Director Daniel Jensen said the man pawned items he stole to fuel his crack addiction. The break in the case came after police were able to lift a "too good to be true" fingerprint off the blade of a knife.

Jensen said the knife was used to cut the top off a large water jug to get change. VanDenbroeck's print was in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System from a 2011 auto theft in St. Clair Shores.

After three hours of searching for VanDenbroeck, including using Facebook to locate him, he was arrested in Eastpointe. 

"He had crack on him and couple pieces of jewelry," Jensen said.

VanDenbroeck was arraigned on four counts of home invasion and is being held on $100,000 bond. He has a preliminary exam on June 6 in Grosse Pointe Farms District Court.

Investigators believe he may be involved in other crimes in the City of Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms and St. Clair Shores.

"He had been miserable and glad he was caught," Jensen said about VanDenbroeck and his crack habit.

While VanDenbroeck is in custody, Jensen believes he was not working alone.

"We are not sure he is the only one," he said. "We want people to remain vigilant."

He urged residents to call police if they see suspicious activity in the community during the holiday weekend.