GLADSTONE — A man from the Iron Mountain area who broke into the Bark River-Harris School, stole money, and then went directly to the nearby casino earlier this month has been arrested.

On Jan. 11, troopers from the Michigan State Police Gladstone Post were dispatched to the school on a report of a break-in. It was discovered that a male suspect had entered the school during the early morning hours that day and found his way to one of the offices.

The man then shattered the window in the door to gain access to the office and proceeded to go through a desk. He located a small amount of cash before leaving the school and going directly to the neighboring Island Resort and Casino, where he began gambling the stolen money.

The suspect was positively identified a couple of days later as Michael Raymond Racicot, age 38, who is from the Iron Mountain area but has ties to the Bark River area. He was arrested by the Menominee County Sheriff Department in relation to a break in at the LaBranch Tavern that occurred a few days prior.

Racicot confessed to both break-ins when interviewed by detectives from both the Menominee County Sheriff Department and the Gladstone Post.

He was arraigned and released on bond.