Robbery/assault investigation continues

Two men have been arraigned on burglary charges and a warrant has been issued for the arrest of a third suspect police believe was involved in the early-morning break-in and assault at Manitou Hall on August 26.

Ernesto Soto, 18, who was tracked by a police dog and captured shortly after the 4:30 a.m. break-in, was arraigned Tuesday on 10-year felony charges of burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary. Nathan Paul Westberg, 22, was arraigned on Thursday in Ottawa County District Court.

Soto told police that all three men hail from Illinois, but at least two are believed to have been residing recently in the Lansing area, said GVSU Public Safety Director Allen Wygant. Soto also said that the suspects were lured by money they believed was stored in Manitou Hall.

After breaking through the thick glass of a second-story window and beating a GVSU staff member who was working in the university's mainframe computer room, the three suspects made off with less than $500 in cash and some checks, said Wygant. The money, which was being deposited into student telephone accounts, is no longer kept in the building, Wygant said.

In addition, panels replace the broken window and other security measures have been put in place, said Wygant, noting that many of the changes had been planned before the break-in. A security guard is posted at Manitou Hall during night hours for the time being.

Computer operator Michael Jenkins, who was assaulted by the intruders, was treated for injuries to the head and is expected to make a full recovery. Jenkins, a former Muskegon city commissioner, has worked in administrative computing at Grand Valley for three years.