Allen Park
Backpack of booze bilked
A shoplifter who allegedly stole eight bottles of liquor from Meijer, 3565 Fairlane, led a store loss prevention officer on a foot chase across the store’s parking lot just after midnight Feb. 2.
The man, described as black and in his mid 40s and standing about 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall and wearing a black coat and gray hat, allegedly concealed the liquor, valued at $360, in a backpack he had placed inside a shopping cart. He also stuffed two bottles into his pants pocket.
The loss prevention officer followed the man out of the store, where he began running across the parking lot, before stopping to dump the backpack and bottles into a shopping cart. The loss prevention officer attempted to get the man to re-enter the store, but he instead ran toward Outer Drive and into a wooded area, leaving the stolen liquor behind.
Car missing after bar trip
After leaving his 2008 Ford Focus parked next to Simon’s Bar, 4936 Allen, Feb. 3, a patron said he returned to the spot about 11 a.m. Feb. 5 to find it missing.
The man said he had drunk too much and left the car parked on Russel. It was entered into Law Enforcement Information Network as stolen.
Bank smashed during break-in
An intruder to a 92-year-old woman’s house in the 15000 block of Belmont Avenue Feb. 4 left behind a smashed piggy bank, a sprinkling of discarded quarters and a frightened resident.
The woman said she was awoken about 2 a.m. by a loud noise in her bedroom and found one of her large plastic piggy banks smashed on the floor. Her front door was open. She closed it and said she stayed awake all night. Her grandson checked on her about 9 a.m. that day and reported the break-in to police.
Officers found quarters on the front porch and in the living room. It is unknown how much money was in the bank.
Entry apparently was gained through a basement window.
Dearborn
Toilet taken from rental house
A toilet bowl valued at $150 was taken and swapped with another model sometime before 4:30 p.m. Feb. 4 from a house in the 3000 block of Gertrude.
The homeowner said the house was in order after visiting it Jan. 15. When he returned, he found the existing toilet bowl replaced and other toilet parts and windows tampered with.
He said a 75-year-old man who moved out in January is the only other individual with access to the house and believes the man and his wife were involved.
Car stolen from in front of house
A tan 2003 Mercedes Benz E-500 was stolen sometime before 11:14 a.m. Feb. 3 parked in front of a house in the 5000 block of Keniworth.
The victim said she parked the car in front of a neighboring house and noticed it was gone a short time later. She said her husband has the only additional set of keys and didn’t take the car.
Van theft at bakery
A silver 1999 Plymouth Voyager was stolen sometime before 10:30 a.m. Feb. 3 from Bartz Bakery, 1532 North Telegraph.
Dearborn Heights
Social security card among goods taken
A Social Security card, jewelry valued at $300, video games ($1,000), two Mp3 players ($400), two video game systems ($600), a Global Positioning System Unit ($200) and $200 cash were stolen sometime before noon Feb. 6 from a house in the 6000 block of Amboy Street.
After returning home, the victim said he discovered the rear door ajar and found a small pry bar on the floor of a back bedroom.
Glasses worth thousands stolen
About 23 pairs of designer prescription eyeglasses valued at $5,500 were stolen at 10:16 p.m. Feb. 5 from Pearle Vision, 22318 Ford Rd.
Officers found a cinder block thrown through the front window which triggered an alarm. Officers arrived and found a glass display case, which contained the eyewear, smashed out.
Jewelry, electronics taken during break-in
A 46-inch television valued at $1,000, a laptop computer ($550) and a gold watch ($500) were stolen at 9:03 p.m. Feb. 2 from an apartment complex in the 6000 block of North Inkster Road.
The victim said the suspects broke into her apartment by prying the dead bolt lock open.
Keys left behind after car break-in
Police are searching for a suspect who broke into a vehicle about 8 p.m. Feb. 2 that was parked in front of a house in the 25000 block of Hopkins.
The victim said while she was in the house for a brief period of time, the suspects went though the vehicle and opened the center console, the glove box and a box in the back seat.
The victim said nothing was taken, but a key ring containing three keys and a Speedy Auto Service rewards card was found in the back seat.
Lincoln Park
Car thief taken into custody
Responding to one call led an observant officer to clear another matter when the driver of a stolen vehicle was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A Lincoln Park police officer was called to Dix Coney Island, 1362 Dix Highway, shortly after 5:30 a.m. Monday to address a customer who had passed out on the counter.
After taking care of the situation, the officer noticed a white 2007 Mercedes Benz, valued at $20,000, parked in a handicap space without a proper marker on display. The vehicle was identified as having been stolen.
The officer observed the vehicle from across the street until a black man approached and entered the car. When the Mercedes drove north on Dix, the officer followed and alerted other patrol units to follow. North of University, the Mercedes was pulled over by police. The suspect driver initially told officers a false name, then confirmed his identity and explained that there was a federal warrant out for him.
The suspect was taken into custody for processing, and Lincoln Park police notified the Michigan State Police of the recovered stolen vehicle, and federal agents were contacted regarding the warrant. Charges are pending.
Melvindale
Phone stolen at bar
A man reported the theft of his cell phone while he was at Hops and Barley, 18561 Allen, about 8 p.m. Feb. 4.
A value was not given for the phone.
Riverview
Wallet missing after rehab stay
A patient of Belle Fountain Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 1859 Quarry, reported his wallet was stolen during his four-day stay there.
His daughter called police to report that the wallet and the $40 inside of it was taken sometime between Jan. 26 and Jan. 30, when he was released.
Southgate
Truck, equipment and more stolen
The theft of a 2003 Dodge Ram pickup truck resulted in more than just the loss of the $4,500 vehicle. Inside the truck, taken from the 15000 block of Oakleigh, was more than $2,500 worth of hockey equipment and electronics.
The truck’s owner called police about 7:30 a.m. Feb. 1, and said he last saw the pickup about 2 a.m. The man, a hockey coach, said the truck contained a pair of $900 skates, an amplifier valued at $200 and other equipment and electronics.
Police collected evidence at the scene and entered the truck’s description into the Law Enforcement Information Network.
Blazer taken from driveway
The owner of a 2000 Chevy Blazer of unknown value reported the vehicle was stolen sometime the night of Thursday, Feb. 2 from the 13000 block of Brest Road.
The victim told police he parked the vehicle — which was fully paid for and secured — at 5 p.m. Thursday, and discovered it missing shortly before 7 a.m. Friday.
The man said he believes someone has a key to the sport utlitiy vehicle, as it was taken several months earlier but returned before a police report was filed. Police collected evidence and entered the vehicle’s description into the Law Enforcement Information Network.
Taylor
Laptop, jewelry taken in home theft
A woman returned to her house in the 5800 block of Katherine Avenue Feb. 2 to discover a smashed bedroom window and the theft of a laptop computer and jewelry.
The woman told police she left home about 8:45 a.m. for work and school, and returned about 3 p.m. At first, she noticed items out of place in the hallway, then saw a bedroom window that had been smashed open, and the room ransacked.
A complete list of missing items was to be prepared, but the woman said a $500 laptop computer and an estimated $500 worth of jewelry were taken from the bedroom.
Police collected evidence at the scene and are investigating.
Break-in nabs TVs from furniture store
Police responded to an alarm shortly before 11 p.m. Feb. 2, originating from Gardner White furniture store, 7680 Telegraph Road, where one of more thieves grabbed a pair of large, flat-screen televisions.
Responding police and a store representative took note of window glass that was shattered yet still intact. The window frame was damaged, as entry was likely gained by forcing the window open from its bottom edge.
The store manager said that two televisions, valued at $600 and $500, were all that he noticed as being stolen, but a complete inventory would be provided.
Trenton
Overnight thief grabs GPS unit
A vehicle owner living in the 500 block of Atwood told police that her 2012 Chevrolet was broken into overnight and someone made off with a Garmin global positioning system unit.
Police were called to Atwood shortly after 5 a.m. Feb. 3 to take a report from the victim.
The woman said her vehicle was parked on the street in front of her residence, unlocked, and was last seen at 9 p.m. Thursday. When she went to leave for work Friday, she noticed the GPS unit taken, the vehicle ransacked and an estimated $25 in cash and coins missing.
Police noted the scene and are investigating.
Wyandotte
Teen driver busted for pot
A 17-year-old boy was cited Monday after officers found two sandwich bags containing marijuana in a truck he was driving during a traffic stop Monday.
About 1 p.m. that day, officers stopped the 1998 Ford Ranger on Cedar near 9th for a loud muffler. As they approached the vehicle, they noticed an odor of marijuana and located the marijuana in the truck along with a pack of cigarettes.
Two passengers were released at the scene.
Beer theft results in jail stay
A 50-year-old homeless man was arrested after stealing a 40-ounce bottle of beer from Shopper’s Valley, 750 Biddle, about 4 p.m. Monday.
The man, with a last known address of Lincoln Park, said he is an alcoholic and didn’t have cash to pay the $2 for the beer.
‘Jealousy issue’ leads to cafeteria brawl
A fight between two students at Theodore Roosevelt High School led to a 10-day suspension and possible charges for the alleged aggressor.
The girls, 16 and 15, allegedly were arguing over a mutual acquaintance that one of them is dating, and threatening text messages were exchanged between the two. The police report described the incident as stemming from a “jealousy issue,” involving the 15 year-old’s boyfriend.
Tuesday, the 16-year-old approached the other girl in the cafeteria, grabbed her by the back of the head, and pulled her to the ground. A fight broke out with each girl striking the other before it was broken up.
The 15-year-old girl sustained minor pain to the back of her head and redness and swelling to her cheekbone.
The 16-year-old said she did not intend to fight the other girl when she approached her.
The victim’s mother said she intends to press charges and the aggressor faces an expulsion hearing after her suspension.
(Compiled by Danierl Heraty, James Mitchell and Andrea Poteet.)