By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – A man police said stole a cell phone from a gas station customer was soon located, taken into custody and charged with larceny and for being in violation of several warrants.
According to police reports, a customer had set his phone down at BP, 2308 Fort St., shortly before 11 a.m. May 30. He’d left the store briefly, realized he forgot his phone, and returned to find it was no longer on the counter.
The man arranged to view surveillance video images, which showed a Hispanic man taking the phone and driving off in a red Chevrolet Trailblazer. The license plate was visible and noted.
Responding officers visited the address on record for the Traiblazer’s registration. The vehicle owner told police that his brother, whose name and age were not disclosed, had been driving the vehicle that day.
The brother was uncooperative, but police summoned a wrecker to tow the vehicle, and the suspect exited the house and identified himself.
The man had a cell phone on him that matched the one reported stolen. The man said it had been given to him by someone he didn’t know, but he intended on giving it back.
A check with the Law Enforcement Information Network revealed that the man had two outstanding warrants from Detroit’s 36th District Court, and his license had been suspended three times.
Security video showed the man operating a motor vehicle. He was issued citations for driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured vehicle and receiving and concealing stolen property.
Charges remained pending a scheduled arraignment June 25 in 25th District Court.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)