Livonia man in hazmat suit gets probation after home invasion pleas

Manuel Sarkis Bardakjian received a sentence of three years of probation on Friday for two home invasions committed in May while wearing a white hazmat suit.

The Livonia man, 40, had pleaded guilty on Oct. 9 to assault with a dangerous weapon and second-degree home invasion. The plea agreement resulted in the dismissal of a felony firearm charge and an assault charge.

Court records show Bardakjian was ordered to serve 39 days in jail. He received credit for 39 days of time already served, meaning he was not required to spend additional time behind bars immediately.

Prosecutors state that on May 13, Bardakjian forced his way into the yard of a 31-year-old neighbor on Bristol Drive. The homeowner confronted him, and he assaulted her before fleeing the area.

Less than 24 hours later, he entered a home on Bloomfield Drive. Police report he pointed a weapon at a 77-year-old homeowner in the backyard. He threatened to shoot her while wearing the suit before escaping the scene.

Livonia Police Department investigators arrested Bardakjian on June 6. His defense attorney, Drew Norton, told the court that Bardakjian is married with children and has no prior criminal record. Norton noted that a car accident a year ago left his client with a head injury and two broken wrists, placing him on disability.

Norton described the past year as extremely difficult, stating that family members say Bardakjian has been different since the accident. The attorney argued that the behavior was out of character and that his client is struggling on a couple of fronts. As part of the sentence, Bardakjian must undergo mental health evaluations and follow-up treatment. Court records indicate that any non-technical violation of probation will result in a jail sentence of 12 to 60 months.