A 69-year-old Benzonia man authorities believe could be tied to the robbery of an Empire Huntington Bank last week was arraigned Tuesday in 86th District Court on auto theft charges.

William Francis Minore is charged with stealing a 2014 Kia Soul from Glen Arbor on September 7, the same day as the bank robbery. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf in court as he stood silent during the video arraignment. Minore is also facing pending charges in Benzie County for possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver and operating a drug house.

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office has executed search warrants on Minore's home and personal vehicle, a 2000 maroon-colored Dodge Van, to search for evidence connecting him to the armed bank robbery. Authorities are asking anyone who may have seen Minore, his van, or the silver stolen 2014 Kia Soul in the late morning or afternoon hours September 7 in Glen Arbor or Empire to contact 231-256-8800. Businesses in Glen Arbor and Empire are also being asked to check their security systems for footage on either September 7 or possibly an earlier date to see if Minore was captured on camera.

Minore is being held in Leelanau County Jail on $1 million bond.