An Eaton County man has been sentenced for his role in stealing thousands of dollars from Michigan state campground sites over a span of two years. Justyn Mark Spitzley, 36, of Sunfield, was ordered to pay $8,000 in restitution and reimbursements after pleading guilty to a felony larceny charge, as noted by CBS News. Spitzley's larceny was more than $1,000 but less than $20,000. He was also convicted of a misdemeanor charge for operating on a suspended license.
Spitzley was sentenced to one year in prison with credit for 81 days served after authorities linked him to thefts at several campground "pay pipes," where campers deposit cash for site fees. As reported by the Lansing State Journal, he was charged with multiple counts, including eleven felonies, for breaking and entering coin-operated devices.
The investigation that led to his arrest began when Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff noticed discrepancies in collections during the 2023-24 season, as per information from WLNS. Surveillance and a cooperative effort amongst law enforcement agencies, including the Michigan State Police and the Mackinac Bridge Authority, played a crucial role in identifying Spitzley as a suspect.
Campgrounds affected by the thefts include Perch Lake, Lake Superior, Blind Sucker No. 1 and No. 2, and the Mouth of the Two Hearted River, according to a Tuesday news release from the DNR obtained by the Lansing State Journal. Evidence recovered at the time of Spitzley's arrest in October 2024 included a large amount of stolen cash and burglary tools, and Spitzley eventually confessed to the thefts.
He was initially jailed on unrelated warrants and, after his arrest, admitted to the campground thefts, resulting in the one-year prison sentence and restitution payments. The funds he's been ordered to reimburse are intended to cover the shortfall caused by his actions, ensuring that the campgrounds can continue to operate and serve the public effectively.
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