CASSOPOLIS — Two more young people were sentenced to jail on breaking and entering convictions Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Dalton Bice, a 17-year-old Edwardsburg resident, received a one-year sentence for breaking into an Edwardsburg business. He will receive credit for 74 days already served.

Kyle Car, 18 of Marcellus, was also sentenced to a year in jail and two years of probation for his role in a string of break-ins, receiving credit for 66 days already served.

Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle says break-ins are a disturbing trend among county youth.

“Unfortunately this has been a trend in court lately,” she said. “Younger adults in the community committing strings of crimes and leaving a lot of victims behind them.”

Bice was described by Vohwinkle as the “leader of the pack” in an April theft at Da Bubbles laundromat in Edwardsburg. He, along with his brother and another co-defendant, stole coins from the machines.

Bice was on probation on a juvenile court offense at the time of the offense.

Defense attorney Roosevelt Thomas said a letter Bice sent to his mother was an indication of what he has learned from his time in jail.

“He is remorseful. The letter points that out,” Thomas said.

For his part, Thomas apologized.

“I’m sorry for what I’ve done,” he said. “I just turned 17. I want to make my adult life the best I can. Please don’t send me to prison.”

Both the probation department and the prosecution recommended a prison term for Bice, but Judge Michael Dodge gave him one last opportunity. However, Dodge said prison would be a “guarantee” if he finds himself in court again.

Bice was also ordered to pay $2,107 in restitution with his co-defendants.

Carr’s offense occurred in April when he and two others broke into several cars and a garage, taking satellite radios, navigation systems and firearms. Carr was later caught by police attempting to sell some of the stolen guns.

Carr is already serving a 240-day jail sentence for stealing an all-terrain vehicle.

During his comments, Carr also showed remorse.

“I regret everything I’ve done,” he said. “I should have been more worried about my education rather than stealing things.”

Dodge said he hopes Carr can turn his life around during his jail sentence.

“You sound like an intelligent young man,” Dodge said. “I know you can do better than this.”

Carr must also pay $596 in restitution.