Break-in of rabbi’s home on Rosh Hashanah not antisemitic, police say

SOUTHFIELD — The Southfield Police Department held a press conference Oct. 7 detailing a home invasion and armed robbery that took place at a rabbi’s home in Southfield.

“So based on the evidence, and based on what the suspect said during the actual robbery, and then even based on our post-arrest interview at this time, there’s no evidence to suggest this was an antisemitic act,” stated Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren.

“I applaud the Southfield police ... for understanding how much the timing of this crime concerned the Jewish community,” Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Carolyn Normandin said. She said at the press conference that the Jewish community might be experiencing heightened levels of anxiety due to the timing of the incident being on Rosh Hashanah and marking the anniversary of Oct. 7. “Sometimes crimes happen to Jewish people. Sometimes, Jewish people are victims. Sometimes the incident is related to their characteristic of being Jewish, and sometimes, not. Not everything, every crime that happens to a Jewish person, is motivated as a hate crime. I want to say that. And again, the Jewish community feels under attack, so I applaud  the quick apprehension of the suspect.”

At 10:39 p.m. Oct. 2, Southfield police responded to the 16000 block of Hilton Street for a reported home invasion at the home of a rabbi. According to police, the rabbi was hosting a Rosh Hashanah dinner in honor of the Jewish New Year, and 25 University of Michigan students were in attendance.

“Victim No. 1 was preparing food in the kitchen when she heard the back door open and shut,” Barren explained. “She walked to the rear of the home and observed a male suspect pointing a handgun at her as she stood in the kitchen. The suspect stated, ‘I’m taking everything. Give me everything.’ The victim immediately ran through the house and into an adjacent room, where she notified her guests that an intruder was armed and inside of the residence.”

The suspect was identified as Bryson Bijon Trice, an 18-year-old Southfield resident. He took a purse and fled from the residence.

Southfield police were given the description of  the suspect, and while canvassing the area, police observed someone matching that description enter a home on Pennsylvania Street. Southfield officers contained the area, called all the occupants outside and then searched the location.

However, the suspect had already fled from the residence.

According to police, the residence is the home of the suspect’s friend, who was arrested for obstruction of justice and was given a $500 bond, which she posted.

Barren said that police spoke with her, and she stated that the suspect had been at her residence earlier, at approximately 9 p.m., which police said is a false statement, according to video evidence.

“According to the suspect’s female friend, she drove the suspect to a relative’s home in the city of Oak Park. We secured evidence that the suspect contacted his friend multiple times and sent her text messages as well. Southfield officers reviewed Ring doorbell footage of the suspect arriving at his friend’s home at approximately 10:49 p.m., which is nine minutes after the initial 911 call. The male was described as wearing the same clothing as described by the victim, with orange lettering and black clothing,” Barren said.

Police then executed a search warrant at the Oak Park address.

At 8:02 p.m. Oct. 6, Southfield officers conducted a surveillance operation on St. Mary’s Street in Detroit, which officers believe to be the home of a relative to the suspect. Southfield police observed the suspect enter the passenger seat of a 2017 Ford Fusion being driven by an 18-year-old female. Officers surveilled the vehicle to the area of Telegraph Road and Puritan Avenue in Detroit before initiating a traffic stop. Trice was taken into custody without incident.

While additional charges are pending, Trice was charged with armed robbery and first-degree home invasion. He was arraigned Oct. 7 before 46th District Court Magistrate Melissa King.

Trice was given a $750,000 bond, cash or surety. His next court date is Oct. 21 at 1:30 p.m. An attorney for Trice could not be reached by press time.