Sturgis man wanted for failing to appear on an armed robbery charge

Dylan Brand, 25, of Sturgis, is wanted by law enforcement after failing to appear Monday in Branch County Circuit Court. 

Brand posted bond after his arrest for the armed robbery of a woman at her Diamond Drive home near Bronson on Oct. 22.     

The Sturgis resident also faces charges of home invasion, a 20-year offense, and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The charge is a life felony. That is a two-year minimum mandatory sentence. 

Brand also has a warrant from St. Joseph County for the pursuit of the robbery that ended with a crash in Sturgis. Officers seized a gun from him. 

Brand could be armed. If spotted, police say don't approach him, call 911. 

Branch County prosecutor investigator Doug Tanner said Brand might be in the company of Michigan parole absconder Brandon Michael Goodfellow, 27. He is described as 6'3", 190 pounds, red hair, blue eyes. He was on parole after conviction for meth and weapons charges in St. Joseph County. 

Investigators believe Brand went to the wrong house west of Bronson. He entered, put a gun to the owner's temple and demanded to know where the safe was located. 

The woman told him there wasn't one. He held the gun on her while searching the house before taking her purse and fleeing. The driver fled in a small silver BMW SUV which was chased through Sturgis before crashing. 

Tips may be emailed to dtanner@countyofbranch.com.