CASSOPOLIS — A Niles man who broke into a friend’s barn and stole marijuana is heading to jail.

Dale Rantz-Lemanski, 36, was sentenced to 120 days in jail and a two-year probation term at Cass County Circuit Court Friday.

Rantz-Lemanski broke into Kevin Abiney’s barn on his property in Cassopolis in November 2009. Police were able to connect him to the crime by DNA testing of his blood found at the scene.

Abiney claims he stole more than weed; he also took tools.

“The defendant is a friend of mine, well, was a friend of mine,” he said. “He would stay at my house. But he betrayed my kindness by breaking into my barn … and stealing my property.”

Rantz-Lemanski denied stealing anything during his sentencing comments.

When Judge Michael Dodge asked him why he would break into Abiney’s barn if he didn’t intend to take anything, Rantz-Lemanski then admitted to taking a box of marijuana.

Rantz-Lemanski also has a domestic violence charge pending in VanBuren County.