C&G Newspapers | Published January 10, 2023
Trumpet reported stolen
BERKLEY — At 5:05 p.m. Jan. 4, police received a report of a trumpet stolen from the 3000 block of West 12 Mile Road.
According to the police report, a 51-year-old Detroit man brought his son’s trumpet to McCourt’s Music Group on Dec. 28 to get it repaired. An employee told police that an hour after this, another man, 38, of Detroit, came in to drop off a clarinet. The employee said the store declined to buy the clarinet and told the man to come back and pick it up, which he did.
On Jan. 4, the father called to inquire about getting back his son’s trumpet, but employees could not locate the instrument. Security camera footage showed the 38-year-old man retrieve the clarinet and also take the case that contained the trumpet, the report stated.
The case was forwarded to the department’s detective bureau.
Dead battery thwarts car theft
FARMINGTON — On Jan. 4, an officer responded to a residence on Cloverdale Street for a report of a smashed car window.
The victim had discovered that sometime over the previous few days, an unknown person had smashed the passenger side window.
The victim believed that the suspect had intended to steal the 2019 Dodge Challenger, but that the suspect didn’t know that the vehicle has a dead battery.
Drunken driver caught driving on the wrong side of the road
ROCHESTER — An officer on Parkdale, near Dequindre, observed a red pickup truck traveling 70 mph in a 45 mph zone at approximately 2 a.m. Jan. 15.
The officer observed the vehicle cross the center line into the oncoming traffic lane and initiated a traffic stop.
The driver, a 45-year-old Rochester resident, had noticeably slurred speech and glassy eyes, and he smelled of intoxicants. The officer told the driver to exit his vehicle to complete sobriety evaluations. While exiting the vehicle, the driver had difficulty maintaining his balance and fell into the side of his vehicle. He failed the sobriety evaluations and was given a preliminary breath test, which resulted in 0.156% blood alcohol content. He was arrested and taken to the Rochester Police Department, where he was asked to take a Breathalyzer, which he refused. A search warrant for blood was filed and granted. Blood was drawn at Ascension Providence Rochester, and the driver was released from custody after being admitted. A warrant for the offense of operating while intoxicated, third offense, was being sought.
Suspect rams patrol vehicle in escape attempt
SOUTHFIELD — Southfield police arrested a man for assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm, fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstruction, and other charges at 2:25 p.m. Jan. 18 near 10 Mile and Evergreen roads.
According to the report, police were assisting another police agency in looking for someone wanted on weapons charges. The suspect was located getting into his vehicle. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, it was slow to pull over and continued to move forward until police had it boxed in to make it stop.
The suspect refused to comply with police and get out of his vehicle. He instead made movements putting his hands out of view toward the floorboard of the vehicle. The suspect then accelerated forward and rammed into a patrol vehicle in front of his vehicle.
The force from the impact pushed his vehicle into an officer, causing him to get knocked off balance. The suspect attempted to ram through the patrol vehicle several more times until his car’s front wheels were wedged off the ground. The suspect was extracted from the vehicle and taken into custody.
Email hacker sends fake bills
FARMINGTON HILLS — An employee of a local business reported that an unknown person had hacked the company’s email system and sent a bill to a customer Jan. 18.
The bill that was sent had a bank routing number and an account that was not associated with the company.
No money was ever sent to the bank, and the incident was turned over to the detective bureau for further investigation.
Woman makes 2 unpleasant discoveries
BERKLEY — A man allegedly caused damage to his girlfriend’s vehicle in an incident reported to have occurred between 1:40 p.m. and 2 p.m. Feb. 6, in the 4000 block of West 12 Mile Road.
According to the report, a 42-year-old Royal Oak woman told police that she was at a restaurant meeting a friend for lunch. At approximately 1:30 p.m., the woman saw her boyfriend, a 41-year-old Novi man, enter the restaurant with some friends and sit away from them. About 10 minutes later, the woman saw a friend of hers walk into the restaurant and go to the bathroom. She followed the woman to have a talk with her.
While in the bathroom, the woman’s boyfriend entered and an argument began between the two. The woman’s friend told the boyfriend to leave, which he did. The Royal Oak woman said she confirmed that her boyfriend also was dating her friend and the boyfriend was lying to both of them.
The two women left the bathroom and the boyfriend came and grabbed the Royal Oak woman’s arm and pushed her; she then hit him in the head with her fist, according to police. The man was told to leave the restaurant by his friends.
After the Royal Oak woman finished her food, she reportedly found that her vehicle’s front and rear door windows on the passenger side had been damaged.
The case was forwarded to the detective bureau.
Laundry money card machine found in public park
FARMINGTON HILLS — On Feb. 12, the money card machine from the Farmington Place apartment laundry room was found in Shiawassee Park, with all of the money missing from it. An investigation revealed that at approximately 4:26 a.m., three males in a pickup truck had stolen the money card machine from the building and drove it to the park, where they forced the machine open to take the cash.
Men steal furnace
HAZEL PARK — According to a police report, at 2:18 p.m. on Feb. 13 in the 1000 block of East George Avenue, two men broke into the home of a 41-year-old man, gaining access by breaking out a basement window.
Once inside the basement, the men allegedly stole the furnace. Police were investigating.
Suspect steals patrol vehicle
SOUTHFIELD — A stolen vehicle was reported to Southfield at approximately 4:29 p.m. Feb. 19.
According to a news release, an officer located an occupied stolen vehicle in the area of 12 Mile and Telegraph roads. Police attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, which fled eastbound on 12 Mile to southbound Lahser Road.
The officer used a precision intervention technique to end the pursuit on Winchester Street and Lahser Road. The driver of the stolen vehicle exited the car and fled on foot. When the officer gave chase, the suspect was able to get into the officer’s patrol vehicle and flee the scene again.
Another patrol vehicle was able to stop the suspect on Winchester Street, west of Evergreen Road. The suspect initially resisted arrest and officers’ attempts to place him in handcuffs, but he was taken into custody. Both the suspect and an officer were transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Assault charges follow scuffle at business
FARMINGTON — On Feb. 21, officers responded to a business on Orchard Lake Road for a report of an assault.
An employee told police that a suspect had brought in meat to the store so that the employee would butcher it.
The suspect did not like the price that the employee was going to charge, so the suspect allegedly pushed the employee several times.
The suspect was issued a citation for the incident.
Expired plate leads to arrest
FARMINGTON — On Feb. 28, a sergeant on patrol saw a vehicle with a license plate that expired two years ago on Power Road, near Grand River Avenue.
As the sergeant attempted to stop the vehicle, the vehicle pulled into a residential driveway on Power.
The driver of the vehicle got out and began walking to the front door of the home as the sergeant was ordering the driver to stop.
The driver refused to comply with the sergeant’s commands and began to open the door to the residence, police said. At that point, the sergeant grabbed onto the driver to prevent him from going into an unknown home. The driver began fighting with the sergeant, who then utilized his Taser.
The driver surrendered and was taken into custody with no further issue.
The driver said he felt that he was being harassed because he had already received a citation for the expired plate a few weeks prior by another police agency, therefore he felt he did not need to comply with any police orders.
The man was charged with obstructing/resisting an officer and was housed at the Farmington jail.
Bank robber leaves without cash
SOUTHFIELD — An attempted bank robbery took place at 9:15 a.m. March 2 in the 28000 block of Northwestern Highway.
The report states that a teller at the bank told police the suspect approached the teller window and presented a folded note that indicated a robbery.
The letter was presented by the suspect, who had his coat opened and showed the handle of a handgun secured in his front waistband. The teller told the suspect that she was just opening and didn’t have the amount of money that the suspect was requesting. The suspect was said to have calmly walked out of the bank without any money. He was observed entering a silver vehicle when he left.
Dumpers clean up trash
FRANKLIN — According to police, subjects were caught dumping trash into a dumpster of a home under construction in the 31000 block of Sunset Drive at 8 p.m. March 2. Officers stood by while the subjects cleaned up the trash and left without further incident.
Vehicle owners manual stolen
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that sometime between 3 p.m. March 3 and 10:27 a.m. March 4, someone broke his sunroof and stole the owner’s manual to his vehicle in the 3000 block of Prairie Avenue, near Greenfield and 12 Mile roads.
Pothole stops drunken driver
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 11:15 p.m. on March 3, officers were dispatched to the area of Madison and Lawndale streets on the report of a possibly intoxicated driver.
The reporting party, a tow truck driver, was on the scene assisting a suspected intoxicated driver with a flat tire.
The driver, a 45-year-old Redford woman, reported to officers that she had hit a pothole while traveling along Woodward Avenue. Officers noted that she had slurred speech and had reported consuming alcohol earlier in the evening.
Upon failing a field sobriety evaluation, she was administered a preliminary breath test, resulting in a blood alcohol content over the legal limit. The driver was arrested and issued a citation for operating while intoxicated.
Bad breakfast
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that sometime between 9 p.m. March 4 and 9 a.m. March 5, an unknown suspect threw eggs and poured syrup on the complainant’s vehicle in the 4500 block of Elmwood Avenue, near 14 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue.
Shots fired at hotel
SOUTHFIELD — A shooting was reported at 3:53 a.m. March 9 in the 28000 block of Northwestern Highway.
According to police, several officers responded to a hotel for a shooting report. The front desk clerk stated that a guest had run into the lobby naked with a gunshot wound to his leg. Police were also told a female had been present when an incident occurred. They also were told the man had a hotel room, but police found it empty.
Police stated the victim was taken to a hospital for treatment. Surveillance video showed two suspects fleeing the hotel room where the incident happened.
The investigation was ongoing.
Intoxicated driver doesn’t stop
BERKLEY — At approximately 2:05 a.m. March 12, the Berkley Public Safety Department arrested a 37-year-old Detroit woman near the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Catalpa Drive.
According to police, an officer noticed a Jeep traveling on Woodward that failed to stop at a red light near 11 Mile Road. The officer also reportedly saw that the vehicle was severely damaged at the front end, rear end and passenger side. The vehicle failed to stop for the officer, and Royal Oak police helped box in the Jeep, preventing it from moving forward.
Police noticed the driver of the vehicle was intoxicated and had an open pint of vodka on the driver’s side floorboard. The driver also was too incoherent to turn off the vehicle and complete a breath test, according to police. The woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license.
Drunken driver rear-ends car, flees
ROCHESTER — Officers were dispatched to West University Drive, near Wilcox Street, for a property damage accident in which an older model, black Grand Am reportedly rear-ended a vehicle and fled the scene at approximately 6:54 p.m. March 14.
The vehicle was last seen on West University. An officer sitting stationary on Terry Avenue, at North Main Street, observed the suspect vehicle and initiated a traffic stop in a nearby parking lot.
The driver, a 62-year-old man from Rochester Hills, smelled of intoxicants. He was asked to step outside the vehicle to conduct a series of field sobriety tasks, which he did willingly at first, then refused.
Officers also observed some damage to the car that was consistent with rear-ending a vehicle. The driver was arrested for operating while intoxicated and taken to the Rochester Police Department, where he was given a breath test resulting in 0.11% blood alcohol content. A ticket was written for operating while intoxicated.
Suspect believed to have entered, slept in car
NOVI — On March 18, Novi police officers received a report of items being stolen from a vehicle days earlier.
The victim stated that, at approximately 10 a.m. March 16, he left his vehicle in a condominium parking lot, according to a police report. Two days later, the victim returned to his vehicle and noticed that an unknown suspect had entered it and stolen several items.
It was reported that the suspect entered the vehicle through a door of the unlocked vehicle and possibly slept in it for an unknown amount of time, the report states.
The report states that the victim never saw the suspect, though the victim believed that someone slept in the vehicle due to the items being moved and the seat being reclined.
Customer tries to pay with suspicious check, swipes keys
FARMINGTON — On March 19, police responded to a salon on Grand River Avenue for a report of a larceny in a building.
The business owner said that a customer had entered the store and received $150 worth of services. The customer attempted to pay by check, but the employees advised that company policy does not allow checks to be taken. Staff also noticed that the check was written on a church account, that the original amount was scratched off, and that the signature did not match the customer’s signature on her driver’s license. The customer left the building to go to an ATM and never returned.
Employees soon realized that a set of keys was missing for the building and suspected that the customer had taken them. Officers were able to track down the customer, who paid the store in cash and returned the keys. The customer was served with a no trespassing order.
Upset customer causes damage at Verizon store
ROYAL OAK — At approximately 12:15 p.m. March 19, a complainant reported that an unknown suspect became upset and damaged the hand sanitizer station and several display phones at Verizon, 31941 Woodward Ave., south of Normandy Road.
Man enters wrong vehicle, gets beaten and robbed
SOUTHFIELD — Police received a report of an unarmed robbery that occurred between 12:30 and 1 a.m. March 19 in the 29000 block of Northwestern Highway.
According to the report, the victim went into the station to report the crime. He said he and his wife were at a restaurant when his wife left the bar to go locate their vehicle. When he left the bar, he was very intoxicated and mistakenly entered the wrong vehicle because it was similar to his own. The man entered the vehicle and fell asleep.
At some point after this, the man was pulled from the vehicle by three unknown subjects, beaten and robbed. The man’s wife did not witness the incident because she was waiting in the parking lot. The suspects and their vehicle were gone when his wife found him in the parking lot. The investigation was ongoing.
The man’s wallet with three credit cards and various documentation was stolen, as well as a black leather trenchcoat and a chain with a pendant.
Vehicle stolen, then found
SOUTHFIELD — A vehicle was taken from a car dealership at 8:15 p.m. March 27 in the 28000 block of Telegraph Road, then later recovered.
Police stated that the dealership discovered that one of their vehicles was missing March 29. The business reviewed security camera footage, which showed an unknown subject walking through the parking lot toward the missing vehicle. Police believe that the subject might have hopped the fence from the business next door.
The suspect entered the front driver’s seat and drove off in the vehicle.
The vehicle was recovered at 1 a.m. March 30 by a neighboring jurisdiction. The doors and hood were removed, but present. Four suspects were taken into custody for the crime.
Child left behind
FERNDALE/PLEASANT RIDGE — A child left unattended in front of Ferndale Lower Elementary School was reported to police at 9:06 a.m. March 28.
According to Pleasant Ridge police, officers received a call about a 6-year-old girl left unattended at the school. Police found the girl at the school, where they learned that she had been dropped off by her parents, who didn’t realize that it was spring break that week. The child had been outside for an hour prior to police arriving.
Police were able to get in touch with the parents, whom they met at the Police Department to pick up the child. The matter was under investigation.
Gold chain, toilet paper go missing
WEST BLOOMFIELD — Sometime between March 31 and April 1, a resident on Drake Road reported that she had placed a gold chain with a gold pineapple in her bathroom drawer.
She stated that when she went to retrieve it, it was missing, along with five rolls of toilet paper.
A detective was assigned to the case.
Man steals money from child
SOUTHFIELD — A Southfield man reported to police that his daughter had money stolen from her at 5:20 p.m. April 2 at Shiawassee and Poinciana streets.
Police stated that a man told them his daughter had money stolen from her while out on a walk. She said that she was walking on Shiawassee when she noticed a black SUV traveling slowly behind her.
The man pulled up next to the daughter as she approached Poinciana Street and rolled his window down halfway. The suspect asked for her ID and then snatched her backpack from her. The man opened it up, grabbed her wallet and gave the backpack back. The wallet held an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect fled toward Inkster Road and went in an unknown direction.
Moped leads police on chase
BERKLEY — At 4:56 p.m. April 2, a 33-year-old Detroit man was arrested for fleeing police near the intersection of Woodward Avenue and West 11 Mile Road.
According to the report, police observed a person driving erratically on a moped on the sidewalk of southbound Woodward. The moped was seen driving behind a liquor store through an alley and onto West 11 Mile, weaving through vehicles that were stopped at a red light.
Police attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to stop and drove past the police vehicle. The moped continued driving into Huntington Woods, where police continued attempts to get the driver to stop.
While the moped was able to lose police for a time, a witness notified dispatch that a moped and a driver matching the description of the person who was seen driving erratically in Huntington Woods had stopped at the city’s library. Police located the man in front of the library and placed him under arrest for fleeing and eluding.
Things get rowdy at wedding
WEST BLOOMFIELD — At approximately 12:30 a.m. April 3, it was reported that unknown individuals threw tables and chairs off a balcony at a country club on Walnut Lake Road.
According to a report, the damage was done during a wedding.
It was listed as a civil matter.
Man found passed out in front seat of random car
ROCHESTER — Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of South Main Street for an unknown intoxicated male found in someone’s vehicle on April 10.
An employee of the business was leaving work after her shift, and upon arrival at the vehicle, she discovered an intoxicated man passed out in the front seat.
Rochester police were notified, and upon arrival, officers attempted to contact the man, but could smell a strong odor of intoxicants. The subject, a 21-year-old man from Hartland, was placed under arrest and transported to the Rochester Police Department for processing. He was offered a preliminary breath test, which he refused, and he was lodged at the station until sober and was released with a citation for disorderly intoxication.
Low tire causes police to catch man with warrant
ROCHESTER — An officer performing selective enforcement in the area of South Main and Second streets observed a vehicle with a really low passenger-side tire at approximately 11:50 p.m. April 15.
The officer noticed the tire to be flat, compared to the remaining three tires. The officer made contact with the driver, a 29-year-old from Ortonville, and determined he currently had a warrant from the Oxford Police Department. He was arrested and turned over to the Oxford police.
Noise complaint leads to drug arrest
TROY — Troy police officers responded to the Red Roof Inn, located at 2350 Rochester Court, following numerous noise complaints of a vehicle revving its engine in the parking lot.
The incident took place at 12:52 a.m. April 15. Upon arrival, officers located a 1998 BMW motorcycle with a loud exhaust and expired plates. The driver, a 44-year-old Oxford man, was located, but officers said he was unable to provide any identification or paperwork for the vehicle. After identifying the man, police said, they determined that he had six warrants out for his arrest and had what was later confirmed to be crack cocaine on his person.
The driver was taken into custody and charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of driving while license suspended — second offense.
Man robbed after meeting prostitute
SOUTHFIELD — A robbery took place at 4:50 a.m. April 15 in the 15000 block of Town Center.
According to a report, a man met with a prostitute he found online. After he met the woman in a hotel lobby, they walked together to her room. Prior to entering the room, an unknown male that was standing near the female’s room touched the female’s hood. The reporting person swatted the man’s hand away and asked the woman if she knew him, to which she said no.
After having sex and paying the woman, the man left the room and started walking towards the elevator. The man from earlier followed him to the elevator. Before getting on, the man asked the suspect what he wanted, and the suspect replied, “give me some money,” while reaching into a fanny pack. The man feared the subject had some type of weapon, so he gave him an undisclosed amount of cash. The man grabbed the money and left.
The investigation was ongoing.
Someone cuts wires to water heater
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that sometime between noon Jan. 24 and 2:30 p.m. April 17, someone cut the wires to the complainant’s water heater in the basement of a condominium in the 25700 block of Woodward Avenue, north of 10 Mile Road.
Man hits parking structure kiosk out of frustration
"BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 11:54 p.m. on April 22, a 50-year-old Beverly Hills woman contacted the Birmingham Police Department to report a malicious destruction of property in progress at the 333 Park St. parking structure.
While in line to exit the structure, she had witnessed a male repeatedly hitting the parking structure kiosk. Officers were able to locate the suspect, who admitted to hitting the kiosk out of frustration. The cost to fix the damage is approximately $218.
Car sale turns into assault and armed robbery
TROY — A planned meeting to sell a 2004 Bentley Continental ended with both the suspect and victim producing firearms.
Troy police said that the victim had arranged a meeting with the suspect at 5:48 p.m. April 23 at 1235 E. Big Beaver Road in order to sell his vehicle after discussing the sale on Facebook Marketplace. According to police, the suspect entered the driver’s seat of the Bentley while examining the vehicle, and then produced a semi-automatic handgun.
Police said that when the suspect looked away, the victim produced his own handgun, after which the suspect accelerated the car and struck the victim, which caused the victim to fall to the ground and discharge a round from his weapon.
Police said the suspect then fled in the Bentley, as did several passengers in the vehicle the suspect arrived in. Police were still investigating the matter.
Tracker found on vehicle
BERKLEY — A 38-year-old Berkley man found a tracker on his vehicle in an incident reported to police at 7:30 p.m. May 2.
According to the report, the man told police that he found an Apple Airtag on his vehicle when his phone alerted him to its location.
The man said he viewed security video of his vehicle while it was parked at work in a parking garage in Farmington Hills. The video showed a black GMC Yukon stopped next to his vehicle and a male driver exited and stood near where the Airtag was found. The man’s phone indicated that the Airtag had tracked him from his work to his home. He also stated that he had observed the same Yukon drive by his home several times that day.
The man said a co-worker of his told him that she believed it was her husband who did this, as he drives the same vehicle. She told him that they’re going through a divorce and he might be having jealousy issues.
The Berkley man stated that he had not received any threats or had any contact from the husband since this happened. He was told to contact Farmington Hills police, since that is where the tracker was placed on his vehicle.
Intoxicated man drives to police station after police warn him not to drive
FARMINGTON — On May 7, an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle at Grand River Avenue and Lakeway and arrested the driver for operating while intoxicated.
While the officer was investigating the incident, the driver’s boyfriend walked up to the traffic stop. The boyfriend asked the officer about the driver’s arrest, and while the officer was talking with the boyfriend, the officer noted that the boyfriend was heavily intoxicated.
The boyfriend asked about picking up the driver from the Farmington Jail, and the officer instructed the boyfriend to not drive as he was obviously intoxicated. The officer even offered to drive the driver home after she was sober.
The officer transported the driver to the Farmington Public Safety Department, where the officer then observed the boyfriend drive into the parking lot and park in two parking spaces.
The officer turned the intoxicated driver over to another officer for booking while he arrested the boyfriend for operating while intoxicated.
Both the boyfriend and the driver were housed at the Farmington Jail until sober.
Man arrested for eavesdropping at salon
BIRMINGHAM — Officers were dispatched to 270 N. Old Woodward Ave. on a report of a suspicious incident and individual May 10 at 5:17 p.m.
The individual, a 26-year-old man from Clinton Township, entered the salon and requested the use of the restroom. After using the restroom, he requested to make an appointment, at which time he was advised that he would need to produce a credit card to hold the space, according to a police report.
The individual advised that he would come back later and left. Later in the day, the individual called the salon to make an appointment. That same day, an employee cleaning the bathroom found a cellphone at the bottom of a trash can. The phone was on and had been actively recording audio for approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes, approximately the time from when the individual had visited the restroom, police said.
When the individual returned, he immediately entered the restroom, then exited moments later, appearing to be upset. Officers questioned the individual, who reported that he had put the phone in the bathroom to record people and knew it was wrong. The individual was arrested for eavesdropping.
Drunken driver arrested after rear-ending police vehicle
ROCHESTER — An officer was conducting a traffic stop when they were rear-ended by a vehicle at approximately 2:40 a.m. May 27.
The officer made contact with the driver, a 30-year-old man from Shelby Township who reportedly showed signs of intoxication.
Field sobriety evaluations were conducted, and the driver was placed under arrest and taken to the Rochester Police Department, where he was given a breath test that yielded a result of a 0.24% blood alcohol content. The driver was lodged until sober and released with a citation pending a further court date. Neither the driver nor police officer was injured in the traffic accident.
Former employee charges company card without permission
WEST BLOOMFIELD — In a report dated June 1, an individual allegedly used a company credit card after her employment at a location on West Maple Road ended.
The suspect allegedly charged over $700 on the card by visiting Indeed.com.
The case was turned over to detectives for follow-up.
Store clerk discovers fake money
BERKLEY — At 5:49 p.m. June 2, police were called to a store in the 27000 block of Woodward Avenue for a report of counterfeit money.
The report stated that a man attempted to buy a $15 phone charger with a $100 bill and asked for the change to be in $10 bills.
The clerk went to the back to check the bill with a marker to see if it was real. As he went to the back, the suspect left, leaving the charger and currency behind. The bill was found to be fake, police said.
The case was forwarded to the detective bureau for investigation.
Driver crashes into fence after huffing nitrous oxide
ROCHESTER — Officers were dispatched to Main Street and University Drive for a car accident involving a fence at approximately 11:10 p.m. June 4.
Officers arrived at the scene and observed an SUV that had crashed into a fence at the intersection. The involved subjects did not report any injuries.
Officers interviewed the driver, a 20-year-old from Rochester Hills, who admitted to huffing nitrous oxide.
The officer conducted field sobriety evaluations, and the driver was placed under arrest.
A hospital blood draw was conducted, and the driver was lodged at the Rochester Police Department until sober and will be issued a citation pending the results of the blood test.
A passenger in the vehicle was issued a citation for purchasing the nitrous oxide.
Delivery driver robbed of pizza
SOUTHFIELD — Police responded to reports of a robbery at 10:13 p.m. June 4 in the 23000 block of Riverside Drive.
The report stated that a pizza was ordered at the apartment complex. The delivery driver met with the suspect at the entrance gate to the complex. The suspect met the delivery driver at his vehicle and asked him to walk to the apartment where the suspect’s sister had money for the order.
The two stood outside the apartment as the suspect attempted to supposedly call the sister to bring out money. After about 10 minutes of waiting, the victim told the suspect that he would have to leave because there were other orders that needed to be delivered.
As the driver walked back to his vehicle, the suspect ran up behind him as he was about to put his key in the vehicle door to unlock it, pressed an unknown object into his back and told him to drop the pizza.
The victim complied and gave up the pizza. The suspect fled the area on foot, and the victim left and went back to the pizza place he works at and called 911.
An investigation by police led to a suspect being identified. Police were able to arrest the suspect without incident.
Officer breaks up a fight between acquaintances
BIRMINGHAM — On June 5 at 1:38 a.m., an officer on patrol saw two males punching each other as they were exiting a local restaurant.
The officer separated the individuals; neither required medical attention.
The individuals involved reported that they are acquaintances and got into an altercation inside the restaurant. They did not want to press charges. Both individuals were issued citations for disorderly conduct.
Angry Starbucks customer arrested
FARMINGTON — On June 8, officers responded to the Starbucks on Grand River Avenue for a report of a disorderly customer.
Officers learned from management that the customer became upset when an employee mispronounced his name when calling the customer’s order.
The customer allegedly began yelling and screaming at the staff over the way he perceived he was treated, so the manager asked the customer to leave.
The customer reportedly refused to leave, so the manager called the police.
Officers spoke with the man and advised him that management wanted him to leave. The man refused and continued yelling. After officers attempted several times to convince the customer to leave, he was arrested for trespassing.
The customer was driven to the Police Department, where he was released with a citation.
Cash, jewelry stolen from apartment
SOUTHFIELD — A man reported his apartment had been robbed between 1 p.m. June 8 and 1 p.m. June 9 in the 16000 block of North Park Drive.
The man told police that, during the stated time, someone entered his apartment and ransacked it. Several items were missing from the apartment, including cash, a laptop, a silverware set and several items of jewelry.
The victim told police his leasing office called and informed him that someone from management was in his apartment earlier that day and may have left the door open.
Man charged with vehicle theft, crashing while drunk
TROY — A 30-year-old Troy man is accused of stealing a roommate’s girlfriend’s 2014 Chevrolet Equinox, as well as $450 from her purse, and subsequently crashing the vehicle into the Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill, located at 155 W. Big Beaver Road.
Police said that the incident occurred at approximately 2:13 a.m. June 10 in the 2800 block of Troy Center Drive.
While investigating the stolen vehicle report, officers were dispatched to the steakhouse after reports of a vehicle leaving the roadway and striking the building. Prior to the crash, the vehicle was reported to be traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Big Beaver Road.
Upon arrival, officers located a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox, which had crashed into the building, with heavy damage to the vehicle and building.
The suspect crawled out of the vehicle and refused any medical evaluation. Police said he failed field sobriety tests, and he was taken to the police lockup facility after it was discovered he had three fail-to-appear warrants out for his arrest. After refusing a second time to submit to a breath test, a search warrant to complete the blood draw was prepared and granted. The driver was charged with one count of unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle, one count of operating with a high blood alcohol content, and one count of driving while license suspended — second offense.
Booze burgled
MADISON HEIGHTS — According to a police report, a 52-year-old Detroit man was arrested and charged with felony retail fraud, first degree, after reportedly stealing six bottles of liquor worth $400.77 from the Meijer store in the 1000 block of East 13 Mile Road at 5:06 p.m. June 13.
Police said the suspect took the liquor and concealed it in a backpack, and then exited the store, bypassing all points of purchase and making no attempt to pay for the merchandise.
Police were investigating.
Police search for vehicle break-in suspect
TROY — The Troy police are searching for a suspect who attempted to steal a car from a parking garage at 888 W. Big Beaver Road.
The incident occurred at 2:38 a.m. June 17. According to the police, an unidentified man was driving through the parking garage when he observed the attempted break-in of a 2021 Dodge Charger occurring.
The passerby attempted to block the suspect’s vehicle in, but the suspect was able to get past them and exit the parking garage. The passerby followed the suspect vehicle out but then observed a passenger in the back seat of the suspect vehicle point what the witness believed to be a firearm at them. The passerby then contacted the police.
The suspect vehicle was last seen proceeding onto southbound Interstate 75. The police found the Dodge Charger with a passenger window broken out and damage to the bottom of the dashboard. The investigation was ongoing.
Man refuses to pay hotel tab
BIRMINGHAM — On June 17 at 12:55 a.m., officers were dispatched to a local hotel on a report of a 41-year-old White Lake man refusing to pay his tab.
The individual attempted to charge his tab to a room in the hotel. However, hotel staff confirmed that the individual was not a guest at the hotel, and they attempted to collect payment multiple times. The total of the tab was $289.38. The individual was arrested for defrauding an innkeeper.
Driver gets stuck in construction zone
NOVI — An intoxicated woman drove her vehicle into the construction area on Grand River Avenue, west of Beck Road, and got stuck shortly after leaving Applebee’s Bar and Grill at 11:07 p.m. June 23, according to a Novi police report.
The vehicle was just east of Applebee’s, and north of Ascension Providence Hospital Novi Campus on Grand River. The vehicle’s front end was stuck in an area of the roadway that had been removed, according to the report. The driver’s side front and rear tires were flat, and there was extensive damage to the front of the vehicle, according to the report.
When police arrived, the driver had the vehicle in reverse and was attempting to drive out of the section of removed roadway, to no avail. The reverse lights were on, the wheels were spinning, and the engine was revving, but the vehicle could not move, the report said.
An officer then approached the driver, the lone occupant of the vehicle. The officer said he could smell the odor of intoxicants emanating from the vehicle, and the driver’s eyes were glassy and red. He asked the driver what had happened, and she immediately started crying and saying she was sorry.
She said that she had just left Applebee’s and turned left out of West Market Square onto eastbound Grand River. She was unable to explain how her vehicle got stuck and damaged, according to the report. She then told the officer that she knew she was going to be arrested.
The officer asked her if she had been drinking, and she reportedly stated that she had two glasses of wine at Applebee’s. The officer then conducted a field sobriety test. The driver stumbled as she walked toward the police car. The woman was released at 7:45 a.m. June 24. No bond was taken, and she was released with her property, according to the report.
Driver takes drunken hospital detour
NOVI — Officers were dispatched to the Ascension Providence Hospital — Novi Campus parking lot for a suspicious vehicle at 1:52 a.m. June 27. Hospital security had contacted police after following a silver SUV that was being driven in circles in the northeast part of the parking lot by an apparently intoxicated driver.
A hospital security employee informed a police dispatcher that he had spoken with the SUV driver and that the driver had slurred speech. Police confirmed that the driver not only had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, but that the vehicle also smelled of alcohol.
The driver reportedly told police that he was staying with his father at a nearby hotel. He said that he was trying to get back to the hotel from a nearby bar, but instead turned in to the hospital. The man then had difficulty unlocking his vehicle door when asked to exit the vehicle, police said. Officers reportedly used the car key to unlock the door for him. He was arrested for operating with a blood-alcohol content of 0.17% or more. It was a potential second offense of intoxicated driving, according to the police report.
Bag of chips stolen
SOUTHFIELD — A gas station was broken into at 4:04 a.m. July 2 in the 24000 block of Southfield Road.
The report stated an alarm was set off for the gas station. Police arrived at the scene and found the front glass windowpane to be shattered. Officers determined the suspects used an asphalt rock to break the glass.
Surveillance footage shows a man picking up a rock and throwing it through the front window. The suspect took one bag of potato chips and left the scene.
Cyclist shoved into traffic
TROY — The Troy police are searching for the driver of a pickup truck who pushed a cyclist into traffic during a suspected road rage incident.
The incident took place at 9:23 a.m. July 7 near the intersection of Dequindre Road and Big Beaver Road. According to witnesses, the victim was riding her bicycle on the sidewalk along Dequindre Road when her handlebars hit the back of the suspect’s truck as it was blocking the crosswalk. The victim continued on her way and the driver followed her, blocked her path, exited the vehicle, and shoved her into traffic on Dequindre Road before fleeing the scene.
The victim had minor injuries as a result, and police said that the investigation was ongoing.
Man finds thief rummaging in apartment
SOUTHFIELD — A robbery was reported to police at 8:21 a.m. July 14 in the 24000 block of Civic Center Drive.
The report stated that a man was asleep in his bed when he was awakened by someone rummaging through his dresser in his apartment. The suspect reached into the pocket of the resident’s shirt, where his wallet was located. The man tried to prevent the suspect from taking it but was unable to, and the suspect took it and left the residence.
The victim believes the man looked like an employee who worked at the apartments. Officers spoke to an employee from the complex and gave her the description of the suspect, and the employee said they knew who the suspect was and had seen him get off the elevator just after 8 a.m.
The employee also said she found it strange when she saw him, because he was not scheduled to work that day and he was carrying a master key for every room.
Reckless driver arrested at Founders Festival
FARMINGTON — Officers working the Farmington Founders Festival July 15 saw a gray Toyota head east on Grand River Avenue in the westbound lanes at an estimated 45 mph in the posted 25 mph zone.
The Toyota had opposing traffic attempting to avoid being hit as the Toyota drove in the wrong lane. The vehicle narrowly missed striking pedestrians at the crosswalk at Grand River Avenue and Grove Street, and had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting a car.
An officer at the crosswalk was able to run to the Toyota and turn the vehicle off so that the driver would no longer be a danger.
The driver was arrested for reckless driving, and her vehicle was towed. The driver has an extensive driving history, and her license was flagged with the Secretary of State’s Office for re-examination.
Drunken man issued ticket for operating moped under the influence
ROCHESTER — An officer traveling west on East Second Street approaching the East Alley observed a moped traveling northbound on East Alley, then stopping at East Second at approximately 10:45 p.m. July 15. The moped turned right onto East Second without using a turn signal.
The officer performed a U-turn and began to follow the moped as it continued east on East Second.
The moped had a dim taillight and no operating brake lights, and the officer did not notice any license plate or sticker on the moped.
The moped then turned right onto Mill without using a turn signal, so the officer made contact with the driver, a 23-year-old man from Washington Township. While speaking with the driver, the officer noticed the driver had what appeared to be fresh grass stains on his pants, appearing to have recently fallen.
The driver stated the moped is 50cc, but there was spray paint over the moped sticker. The driver provided the officer with a paper/bill of sale, which was nearly completely burnt.
Due to the poor condition of the paper, the officer was unable to read a vehicle identification number. While speaking with the driver, the officer could smell an odor of intoxicants. The driver was given field sobriety tasks, and he failed them. He was given a preliminary breath test, and the result was 0.09% blood alcohol content. He was arrested for operating while intoxicated and taken to the Rochester Police Department, where he was given a Breathalyzer, resulting in 0.11% blood alcohol content. He was held until sober and issued a ticket for operating while intoxicated.
Officer purchases milk for family in need following complaint
NOVI — A police officer purchased a gallon of milk for a resident after being called to the residence for a complaint of a baby crying for a prolonged period at 1:18 p.m. July 26.
The officers found a man at the residence who was not supposed to be there, but he was there because the child’s caregiver was incarcerated, according to the report. The child didn’t appear to be harmed, according to the report. The man told the officer that he had no money to buy the child milk, so the officer purchased it for him.
Stalking suspect tells police, ‘Let’s fight’
NOVI — Police were called to a residence multiple times for a trespassing/stalking complaint July 29. After clearing the residence for the prior calls, the responding officer shut off his lights and parked his vehicle nearby. Shortly thereafter, he received a call from dispatch that the suspect had returned at 10:55 p.m.
The officer said he could hear yelling coming from the southeast side of the building, where the front door is located. The suspect shares a child with the homeowner, according to the police report. The officer was able to arrest the suspect for trespassing.
While in the police car, the suspect reportedly began to hit his head against the window and became irate. He started to scream, “Let’s fight,” and attempted to exit the vehicle, police said. He then kicked the arresting officer in the chest, knocking the officer’s microphone off and leaving a dirt mark on his uniform, according to the report.
When the man was informed that he was going to be charged with a felony for the assault, he reportedly screamed, “Let’s rack up the felonies.” He continued to scream while officers contained him in the back of the vehicle.
He stated that he was going to commit “17 more felonies,” according to the report. He then head-butted the divider inside the vehicle, police said, causing a laceration to his head. Officers said that they had to place him on the ground outside the vehicle for his safety and theirs.
The homeowner said she wished to press charges against the suspect for stalking. He had been told repeatedly to leave her home and refused to do so, police said. The woman has a personal protection order against the man, though it was entered with the wrong birth date, according to the police report.
Teen speeder flees from police
FARMINGTON — At 7:29 p.m. July 30, an officer attempted to stop a vehicle for traveling 62 mph in a 35 mph zone in the area of Grand River Avenue and Power Road.
The vehicle fled from the officer onto northbound Mooney Street and then to westbound Shiawassee Street.
The vehicle continued westbound on Shiawassee and then onto westbound Grand River Avenue. It continued for a short time on Grand River Avenue before pulling into a shopping center, where officers were able to block the vehicle in and take the driver into custody.
The 17-year-old driver was released to his parents, and the case was forwarded to probate court.
Construction employees reported for physical altercation at high school
BIRMINGHAM — Officers were dispatched to Seaholm High School at 2:54 p.m. Aug. 2 on a report of disorderly conduct.
Witnesses reported that a physical altercation had occurred between construction employees working on the grounds, two of whom had left the scene.
The victim reported minor injuries and damaged personal items totaling approximately $600.
Officers attempted to make contact with the other individuals involved. An investigation was ongoing.
Vehicle window shattered, bag of puzzles stolen
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that sometime between 7 and 10:30 p.m. Aug. 8, someone broke a vehicle window and stole a bag of puzzles at the Elks Lodge, 2401 E. Fourth St., west of Interstate 75.
Woman allegedly damages equipment, spits at officer
BERKLEY — A 33-year-old Birmingham woman was arrested for assault and battery of a police officer, property damage and operating while intoxicated at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 16 near the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Trafford Road.
The report states that police noticed a 2022 Ford Bronco drifting in its lane multiple times and, at one point, striking a curb. It also almost struck two vehicles while police attempted to pull it over.
The driver, who had a dog on her lap, claimed she had nothing to drink. Police said they noticed a strong odor of intoxicants and that the woman’s speech was slurred. She later said she had two drinks, according to the police report.
The driver struggled to perform sobriety tests and refused a breath test. She was placed under arrest. While attempting to escort her to a squad car, the woman began to resist and pull away from police and to shout profanities. The dog was turned over to a friend of the woman who arrived at the scene.
While inside the squad car, the woman kicked around inside, reportedly damaging a light and rear camera. She also, at one point, banged her head against the plexiglass divider. At the Public Safety Department, she spat in the face of one of the officers, according to the report.
Suspects steal items, throw bricks at store owner
SOUTHFIELD — Several suspects broke into a store and stole many items at 12:55 a.m. Aug. 12 in the 16000 block of west Nine Mile Road.
According to a report, around six or seven suspects broke into a store. The owner was notified by his building manager of the suspects, and when he arrived at the scene, he noticed the thieves walking away with the items. The items included a PlayStation 4, four watches and four belts.
The victim confronted the individuals and demanded they place everything on the ground. The suspects complied and set down a backpack on the ground, along with other miscellaneous items. As the suspects set down the items, they immediately started walking away over to a nearby apartment complex.
As the suspects entered the apartment complex, they began throwing bricks and glass bottles at the victim’s vehicle, causing damage. The victim stopped his vehicle and turned around to exit the apartment complex due to the items being thrown at his vehicle. The victim believes the suspects live in the complex. All the suspects appeared to be under the age of 17.
Laundry stolen from dryer
BIRMINGHAM — On Sept. 2 at approximately 4:02 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a laundromat on Grant Avenue to take a larceny report.
The victim reported that her laundry was stolen while it was in the dryer and she was away from the laundromat. A witness reported seeing a subject remove the victim’s laundry from the dryer and leave the laundromat with it.
There are no additional witnesses or suspects at this time. The items taken were valued at approximately $300-$400.
Individual spends $10,000 after bank error
BIRMINGHAM — On Sept. 9 at approximately 10:33 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the front desk to take a fraud report.
The reporting party, a representative from Bank of Ann Arbor, stated that an individual deposited a check for $1,600 to open a new account with Bank of Ann Arbor.
During the process, a bank error occurred resulting in the credit of $16,000. The error was discovered when the initial check used to open the account was returned to the bank as “unpaid” due to the issuing bank account being a closed account. The bank was unable to contact the individual, who spent approximately $10,000 of the funds that were given to him in error. An investigation was ongoing.
Woman causes disturbance at vet clinic
NOVI — Police were called to Breckenridge Veterinary, located at 21524 Novi Road, after a staff person reportedly was injured by an unhappy cat owner at around 3 p.m. Sept. 20.
The cat owner had come to the clinic for an appointment and left in a huff after her cat was seen by the vet. As the woman left the clinic, with her cat held in her left arm, she “launched” a plastic jar of dog treats into the air with her right hand, according to a police report. The jar struck the staff person at the front desk on the left side of her face and shoulder.
Officers spoke with the cat owner Sept. 28 at the Police Department. The woman brought with her a copy of a letter that she had sent to the vet clinic, which detailed her reasons for being unhappy with the service. She said that as she was leaving, she slung her bag on her right shoulder and may have hit some of the items on the counter with it as she did so, according to police. The officer then informed her that the woman at the desk had been hit by the jar of dog biscuits. The report was filed for documentation only.
Vehicle theft suspect accused of home invasion at nursing home
SOUTHFIELD — A suspect allegedly stole a 2016 Jeep Cherokee from a funeral home parking lot in the 24000 block of Evergreen Road at 1:09 p.m. Sept. 24. The victim’s boyfriend said he had parked his girlfriend’s Jeep in the parking lot and noticed it was missing when he returned to the lot.
The vehicle had been left unlocked with the key fob, a cellphone and a wallet inside. The key fob had been located in a pair of pants the victim’s boyfriend had left in the vehicle, along with some cash in the pockets as well.
The ‘Find my Phone’ app tracked his phone near Lincoln Drive and Woodvilla Place, and video footage from the funeral home parking lot confirmed a female suspect leaving with the vehicle.
The suspect was later identified, and the phone then tracked near the 27000 block of Franklin Drive.
The vehicle was located unoccupied with the wallet and phone, but the key fob and cash were missing from the vehicle.
Witnesses said the suspect was wearing a red hoodie that was later recovered by officers, and was seen near a senior living complex.
Officers were later contacted by the senior living complex on Franklin Drive, at 5:44 p.m. Sept. 25, when a female matching the suspect’s description allegedly entered a victim’s room without permission.
The senior resident stated that someone had knocked on her door, and when she opened the door, the suspect entered her room.
The victim said she waited until Sept. 25 to contact officers because she still hadn’t processed what had happened the day before.
The suspect told the victim that her name was Ashley and that she was the victim’s granddaughter, and continued to reiterate this when the victim questioned her. The victim said she doesn’t have a granddaughter named Ashley.
The suspect asked the victim if she could borrow a shirt and use the bathroom, and she allegedly stole a portable toilet and walker as she exited the room.
The victim said the suspect was in her room for about 15-20 minutes, and video footage from the complex shows the suspect leaving with a walker, a portable toilet, and a flower display at around 4 p.m.
While the suspect was identified, she had yet to be located. The investigation was ongoing.
Driver hits pavilion
BIRMINGHAM — On Sept. 25, at approximately 2:48 a.m., officers observed that the southwest side of the Toast pavilion at 300 Pierce St. had been struck by a vehicle and was heavily damaged.
Officers observed a damaged vehicle nearby with no driver present. Officers were able to identify the vehicle’s owner and attempted to contact the individual. The vehicle was towed.
Vehicle taken from hospital valet
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that sometime between 4 and 6 p.m. Sept. 27, an unknown person stole the complainant’s 2021 Jeep Renegade while it was parked with Beaumont Hospital’s valet service with the keys left inside it.
Notes superglued to car
TROY — Two notes were glued to the front windshield of a car parked in the 1200 block of Kirts Boulevard on Sept. 30.
The victim reported to police that she had parked her vehicle in the street due to her condominium complex repairing the roads. When she returned to her vehicle, she found notes super-glued to her windshield and driver’s side window that read “NO PARK.” Police confirmed that the driver had been parked legally at the time.
Police were investigating.
Intoxicated driver hits cop car
FARMINGTON — A Farmington Public Safety officer was on a traffic stop in the area of Grand River Avenue and Whittaker Street at 11:30 p.m. Sept. 30.
While contacting the driver of the vehicle he had just stopped, the officer’s patrol vehicle was rear-ended.
It was quickly discovered that the person who had struck the patrol vehicle was intoxicated. A subsequent investigation showed that the driver’s ability to drive was impaired by alcohol and he was arrested. No one was injured, and the intoxicated driver was held at the Farmington Jail until sober and released.
Driver crashes into store, then drives off
NOVI — Police were dispatched to Sunshine Market, located at 42355 W. 13 Mile Road in Novi, at 7:35 p.m. Oct. 5 after someone drove an older-model Chevrolet Cruze into the store and then backed up and fled the scene.
A store employee told police that he heard a loud noise and saw some merchandise falling in aisles on the northwest side of the store. The man said that a customer came into the store shortly thereafter and informed him that a vehicle had just crashed into one of the large store windows and drove off. The employee said that he went outside to have a look and found the front grille for an older-model Chevrolet Cruze near the broken window.
Novi police canvassed the area but were unable to locate the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the Novi Fire Department arrived on scene, determined the store to be structurally sound and taped off the window. Officers then waited for the owner to arrive, as the employee did not have access to the store’s security cameras.
Police were able to view video of the incident when the owner arrived, but they were unable to see the vehicle’s license plate.