Police have released the identity of two South Bend men believed to be responsible for multiple breaking and entering crimes in Michiana over the past several months.

Thomas Vansandt, 26, and Jason Cahoon, 26, confessed to 11 burglaries in Berrien County and approximately 20 more in St. Joseph County, Ind., according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department.

The suspects were apprehended after St. Joseph County Police were alerted to a burglary alarm at a convenience store on S.R. 933 near the Michigan/Indiana state line on Nov. 22. Officers arrived at the scene and identified a suspicious vehicle, but two passengers fled the car and escaped.

While this was happening, members of the Berrien County Special Investigation Unit were conducting surveillance in Michigan. Michigan State Police and the Niles City Police were assisting the Berrien County unit that evening. Those officers, in conjunction with St. Joseph County Police, set up a perimeter to attempt to capture the two fleeing suspects.  Lt. James Zehm along with Lt. Rick Biggart and K-9 handlers Deputy Marc Hopkins and Deputy Jason Haskins from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office were able locate one suspect, Vansandt, who fled on foot.

Police searched the suspect’s vehicle and found property that was stolen from two business burglaries in Niles Township.

The Berrien County Special Investigative Unit was created in November by Sheriff Paul Bailey to solve the business break-ins occurring in Niles Township.

“The strike force did exactly what it was supposed to do — get out there and look for suspicious activity,” he said.

Vansandt pleaded guilty in Berrien County to two counts of breaking and entering and is awaiting sentencing. Cahoon is being held in St. Joseph County awaiting extradition to Berrien County where he will answer to two counts of breaking and entering.

Bailey said his department is still investigating other area break-ins.

“There is more out there unfortunately. And we’ll continue to investigate those and continue to have the resources out there to hold people accountable,” he said.