LIVONIA - A Livonia man accused of trying to break into two homes in his own neighborhood while wearing a white hazmat suit and a mask has taken a plea deal in the case.

Manuel Sarkis Bardakjian, 40, pleaded guilty on Friday to assault with a dangerous weapon and second degree home invasion in connection to two home invasion incidents that occurred within a day of each other in May.

A felony firearm charge and an assault charge were dismissed as a result of his plea.

Prosecutors say Bardakjian forced his way into a 31-year-old neighbor's yard on Bristol Drive on May 13, while wearing a white hazmat suit. When the homeowner confronted the man, he allegedly assaulted her before fleeing the area.


Less than 24 hours later, prosecutors say Bardakjian forced his way into a home on Bloomfield Drive, pointing a weapon at the 77-year-old homeowner who was in the backyard at the time. Police say Bardakjian was again donning a white hazmat suit and threatened to shoot the homeowner before he fled the scene.

He was arrested on Saturday, June 6, following an investigation by the Livonia Police Department.

Bardakjian's defense attorney, Drew Norton, told the court Bardakjian is married with children, has no prior criminal record, and has been on disability after a car accident a year ago left him with a head injury and two broken wrists.

 The year has been extremely difficult,  Norton said, adding that family members say Bardakjian  has been different  since the accident and that the alleged behavior  is out of character. 

Norton said his client is  struggling on a couple of fronts  and needs to be released to get the help he needs.

Bardakjian is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. Nov. 6.

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