Police recovered more that $30,000 in stolen property from Marcel Dasilva, Ciana Chapman and Heather Martin, who were charged in a rash of break-ins spanning four cities. Eight hot water tanks, four furnaces and five air conditioning units were among the recovered property.
By DANIEL HERATY
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – Three suspects were arrested July 22 in connection with a rash of appliance thefts that happened over four to five weeks in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Canton Township and Redford Township.
“These (arrests) are significant,” Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said. “(The thefts) were happening not only in Dearborn, but throughout the region. They’ve hit a lot of our neighboring communities.”
Haddad said it is unclear how many of the thefts the suspects were allegedly involved in.
According to police officials, the suspects, Detroit residents Heather Martin and Ciana Chapman and Canton Township resident Marcel Desilva, who allegedly provided a means to unload the stolen property, were arrested following a tip from the Redford Township Police Department.
Haddad declined to expound further on the role Desilva allegedly played in the theft.
Officers recovered eight hot water tanks, three furnaces, three air conditioners and a breaker box. Haddad said the stolen goods are valued together at $30,000, but he is more concerned that the suspects were allegedly stealing the appliances on a regular basis.
Dearborn Police Surveillance Unit officers spotted the suspect vehicle, a blue Dodge Durango, and set up surveillance after noticing an air conditioner in the back of the SUV.
Martin drove to a vacant house in the 7000 block of Steadman, where she and Chapman, who was allegedly carrying bolt cutters, were later seen loading an air conditioner into the vehicle.
Martin, 28, and Chapman, 25, were arraigned July 24 in 19th District Court on charges of larceny and receiving and concealing stolen property. Both charges carry a maximum of 10 years in prison. Desilva, 40, was arraigned the same day on one charge of attempting to receive and conceal stolen property, which carries a 2 1/2-year prison sentence.
Desilva and Martin each posted bond and were released. Chapman remains in Wayne County Jail on $10,000 bond. A preliminary examination based on the evidence against them is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday in 19th District Court.
Residents with any additional information are asked to contact the Dearborn Police tip line at (313) 943-3012.