A man from Elkhart, will spend the next few years of his life on probation for a home invasion incident.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman sentenced Bradley Scott Schraw, 34, Friday to three years in the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program for two counts of home invasion in the second degree. Schraw was also sentenced to 213 days in jail, with credit for 213 days served, and 242 days in jail, with credit for 232 days served.

The charges stem from a Jan. 25 incident, when police officers responded to a breaking and entering call at an Edwardsburg home belonging to an acquaintance of Schraw.

Officers witnessed Schraw’s vehicle fleeing the scene. When Schraw was apprehended, officers found a television set in his vehicle. Victims later confirmed that Schraw did not have permission to take the property.

“The evidence of the pre-sentencing report supports that the victim of the home invasion now feels frightened and unsafe due to [Schraw’s] actions,” said assistant prosecutor Sarah Matthews.

According to their impact statements, the victims recommended a strong sentencing, which Herman interpreted as prison time, which was a possibility for Schraw as his charges came with a maximum sentence of more than four years in prison. However, according to interviews with they held by the prosecutor’s office, the victims also stated that they wanted Schraw to get help for his substance abuse problems, which Schraw said contributed to his behavior.

At sentencing, Herman also expressed a desire to help Schraw beat his substance abuse.

To do this, Herman placed Schraw in the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program, which places Schraw on probation with the stipulation that if Schraw does not successfully complete the program, he will go to prison.

The program requires close monitoring as well as frequent drug and alcohol tests.

Herman specifically referenced Schraw’s three young children when telling Schraw that he needed to change his ways and take the program seriously.

“I think you have an opportunity to change and be a role model,” Herman said. “If you don’t make a change, you’re going to spend the rest of your life hurting [your children].”

At sentencing, Herman said he was hopeful that Schraw would make the change in his life, as he was still young enough to do so.

“The reality is we would like you to get your substance abuse under control and never come back into this court again,” Herman said to Schraw. “But that’s a decision you have to make.”