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NILES — A homeless man who broke into the Niles YMCA and a nearby parked car was sentenced to jail Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse.

     Michael Robert Hemminger, 66, homeless, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny and was sentenced to 180 days in jail with credit for 98 days served and $198 in fines and costs. He was also sentenced to time served for disorderly person and breaking and entering a motor vehicle to stealing property less than $200.

     The incident occurred July 8 in Niles at the Niles YMCA on Front Street. He had been sentenced in April for a similar incident when he broke into the First Presbyterian Church in Niles in May, 2023.

     Berrien County Assistant Prosecutor Jerry Vigansky noted that Hemminger has a fairly extensive record although he had no criminal convictions for over 10 years from 2010 to 2023. Vigansky said that most of the convictions were for similar offenses involving illegal entry and theft.

     Defense attorney Daniel French said most of Hemminger’s past convictions were for misdemeanors which he described as “low level” property offenses and crimes of opportunity. French said in this case Hemminger was hungry and looking for food.

     Berrien County Trial Court Judge Jennifer Smith told Hemminger that there are resources out there for him to tap into rather than breaking into a building or a car. “You may be cold and hungry but you’re not allowed to break into a building,” she said.

“There are resources to help you find food and shelter,” she added. “You need to use those, otherwise eventually you could end up in prison or in a worse situation if someone is armed. I’d like to see you get back to where there is a 10 year gap between crimes and use community resources rather than other people’s property.”