Tri-county home invasion suspects charged with felonies

WARREN — Two suspects who allegedly burglarized homes in Warren and others in Macomb, Wayne and Oakland counties are now in police custody facing felony charges.

Antonio Barry, 42, of Clinton Township, and James Long, 29, of Detroit, were arraigned on July 28 in the 37th District Court in Warren.  The defendants were arrested on July 27 after Warren Police Department Special Operations Unit officers reportedly observed the pair commit a home invasion in Dearborn. The investigation showed that both suspects would dress as contractors, wear construction vests and knock on doors to determine if the occupants were home, according to a Warren Police Department press release.

According to the release, Warren police began to investigate a residential burglary on July 6 in the Panama Street and Toepfer Road area. According to police, the Detective Bureau and the Special Operations Unit identified the alleged suspects as Barry and Long. Police said the two were also responsible for residential burglaries in Hazel Park and Clinton Township and they connected the pair with two residential burglaries in Warren. Police reportedly recovered watches, jewelry and electronics worth several thousands of dollars from area pawn shops, all of which were allegedly pawned by Barry and Long after the break-in.

Barry and Long were each arraigned on three counts of home invasion in the second degree, a 15-year felony per count. They are expected to face additional charges in other jurisdictions where they have allegedly committed crimes.

“This case shows how suspects who commit crimes in Warren are often responsible for crimes in other cities,” said Warren Police Chief William Dwyer.

The total bond for each defendant was set at $350,000.

“I am thankful that the judge set an appropriate bond in this case,” said Dwyer. “These two suspects have lengthy criminal histories and should not be on the streets.”

Barry was also charged with two counts of possession of ammunition by a felon. That charge is a five-year felony.

Long’s attorney of record is Joan Ellerbusch Morgan, who was not available for comment.

Barry’s attorney had not been assigned by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission at press time.

Both suspects remained in the Macomb County Jail awaiting a probable cause conference in 37th District Court before Judge John Chmura, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Aug. 10.