Five arrested following pharmaceutical business break-in

TROY — Several suspects were charged with breaking into a Troy pharmaceutical business Feb. 19 following a tip from another law enforcement agency.

Troy police officers began surveillance on the business, located in the 1200 block of Rankin Street, on Feb. 17 as a result of the tip. After midnight on Feb. 19, the officers observed two vehicles they said appeared to be casing the building.

Officers said two individuals from the vehicles gained access to the building by cutting a hole through an overhead garage door. According to investigators, an employee from the business contacted the Troy police and told them that two individuals were visible on interior cameras attempting to enter a secured area containing prescription medication.

The police surrounded the building and took the two men inside into custody, identifying them as 20-year-old Isaiah Duncan and 24-year-old Ario Stephens. Three individuals police said were acting as lookouts and communicating with the two suspects inside also were taken into custody. They were identified as 24-year-old Shaun Kardover, 20-year-old Jaevion Hackett, and 42-year-old Alvin Whidby. They were all arrested without incident, according to police.

All five were arraigned Feb. 21 in 52-4 District Court and charged with one count each of breaking and entering a building with intent. Stephens was issued a $1 million bond, cash or surety; Whidby was issued a $750,000 bond, cash or surety; Duncan and Hackett were issued bonds of $250,000 cash or surety; and Kardover was issued a bond of $50,000 cash or surety.

None of the suspects had retained or been appointed an attorney by press time.

“All five (suspects) are from out of state. The Troy Police Department credits the exceptional effort of the Troy Special Investigations Unit for this complex investigation and arrests,” wrote Sgt. Jason Clark of the Troy police. “These investigators work together in a collaborative, multi-jurisdictional unit while investigating criminal activity impacting the region. We would also like to thank the Michigan State Police Aviation Unit (Trooper Two) for their assistance in this case. Trooper Two monitored the area while this crime was in progress and assisted Troy officers with the location of the lookout vehicles.”