Man pleads guilty to larceny of church.

Marek Witkowski, left, with his attorney David Glancy.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — A 17-year-old Ludington man pleaded guilty to larceny of a church today in 51st Circuit Court. Marek Juergen Witkowski, of 633 Brigham, Plainwell, was arrested Sept. 26 by Ludington Police Dept. for the felonies of safe breaking and larceny. Safe breaking is punishable by a maximum of life in prison while larceny of a building is punishable by up to four years in prison.

Witkowski told the court he was cleaning Greater Life Church, 208 S. James St., when he decided to break into the safe. He said he knew where the key to the safe was kept and he took about $500. He then deposited the money into his bank account and spent it.

Witkowski was offered a plea agreement by Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola to one year of jail, spending the first 90 days up front and the remainder at the court’s discretion, and paying restitution to the church for $1,230.91. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 16 at 2 p.m.