ALLEN PARK
Police officers called to scene of possible overdose
A 31-year-old Westland woman, who was reclined inside her 2002 blue Chevrolet Cavalier, asleep, with a syringe on the seat next to her at Target, 3100 Fairlane Drive, prompted a call to police officers the afternoon of April 23 about a suspected drug overdose.
When police officers knocked on the car window, she woke up. She was instructed to shut off the vehicle and turn over the ignition keys to the police officers, then step out of the car.
When the woman opened the car door, a small plastic cannister fell from the driver’s seat onto the floor board. When asked what was in the container, she said, “probably heroin.”
The woman then said she had used heroin earlier in the day, but was merely asleep in the car, waiting for a friend, with whom she planned to shop with later.
The woman said she did not have a driver’s license, and had multiple arrest warrants, several of which were for narcotic-related violations.
She was then taken into custody for possession of heroin and narcotic equipment, and was transported to the police station, where she was booked, processed and lodged, while her vehicle was impounded and towed.
Drug dealing friend ‘borrows’ car under duress; backpack disappears
A 30-year-old Allen Park man said the morning of April 24 that after the friend with whom he was staying in the 9400 block of Marlborough forcibly “borrowed” his car to make a possible drug delivery, the man’s backpack, containing his phone, driver’s license and passport were missing from the vehicle. He said he waited to see if the backpack would be returned, but when it was not, he filed a police report.
DEARBORN
Man arrested for reckless driving
While on patrol in the area of northbound Mercury and Hubbard drives April 18, police watched a vehicle accelerate at a high rate of speed.
As the officers waited for the light to turn green, they saw a yellow Honda S2000 turn onto southbound Mercury from the turnaround just south of Executive Plaza Drive. When the Honda accelerated, the driver also lost control of the vehicle and began to fishtail in and out of both the southbound Mercury lanes.
The Honda then almost ran up onto the right curb and crashed. According to the report, the driver again drove south on Mercury, accelerating at a high rate of speed and causing the vehicle to fishtail until he was able to regain control of the Honda and make a right onto westbound Hubbard.
A traffic stop was conducted at Park Lane Boulevard just north of Hubbard when officers approached the vehicle and made contract with the driver. He told police he lost control of his vehicle because he punched the gas and has snow tires on his vehicle.
Officers observed that the vehicle did not have snow tires, but instead had performance tires.
The driver was asked to exit the Honda and was arrested for reckless driving. While being handcuffed the driver said his driving could not be considered reckless because he was not speeding. Police informed the driver that speeding is not a requirement to establish reckless driving.
As officers placed the driver in their patrol vehicle he said, “Isn’t this a bit much for just chirping the tires?” The Honda was towed and the driver was transported to the Dearborn police station where he was placed under a $500 bond for reckless driving.
Empty ammunition boxes found at restaurant
Police were called to Jimmy John’s, 22171 Michigan Ave., April 19 when an employee found two empty boxes of Remington .223 ammunition in a restroom.
The employee said that while she was checking the men’s restroom before the restaurant opened, she noticed the empty boxes. She collected them then called police.
She told officers the boxes would have been left in the restroom sometime on April 18 before the restaurant closed.
Police collected the boxes and transported them to the Dearborn police station.
DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Wallet stolen from possible unlocked vehicle
A resident reported that his wallet containing cash, vehicle registration, driver’s licenses and his Social Security card were stolen from his vehicle overnight.
The cash stolen was between $80 and $90 and the driver’s licenses belonged to his wife and him.
The resident told police April 14 his vehicle might have been left unlocked after his son parked it in the 5600 block of Cambourne after work between 1 p.m. and midnight the night prior.
The son said he was not sure if he locked the vehicle. Police advised the resident to call his insurance company, Secretary of State, Social Security office and to cancel his credit cards.
He was also told to lock his vehicle and not to leave valuables inside.
Second-grade student takes weapon to school
A second-grade student at Highview Elementary School, 25225 Richardson, took a weapon to school on May 2, according to a letter by Principal Alice Reinke.
Reinke said the district learned quickly about the incident because to a staff member who noticed the student’s suspicious behavior.
“In accordance with our district’s procedures, the following precautions were taken: the student was removed from class and the item was confiscated,” the letter to parents stated. “No one was injured, the Dearborn Heights Police Department responded immediately and confiscated the item, and I spoke with the students in the affected classroom about the importance of letting adults know any time they suspect a problem.”
Reinke said the health and safety of students, staff and parents is her top priority.
“We are thankful to have the resources of the Dearborn Heights Police Department any time we need them,” she wrote. “Please let me know if you need further clarification.”
She asked parents to encourage their children to report any suspicious activity to a trusted adult at school, or to them and also thanked parents for their support in keeping the school safe.
No further details were provided.
LINCOLN PARK
Man faces wage garnishment for identity thief’s debt
A 27-year-old Lincoln Park man said April 24 that his identity had been stolen, and a $5,880 lien was placed against his wages by a court order to cover the cost of an outstanding DTE bill for a residence in Flat Rock, where the man said he has never lived. He further said he has never had an account in his name with DTE. The man was given a report number to follow up with his employer and the court of record.
Man’s credit card fraudulently used to wire money through Western Union
A 63-year-old Lincoln Park man reported April 24 that his credit card was fraudulently used to wire money the morning of March 3 through Western Union from Meijer, 3710 Dix. His credit card is still in his possession. There were no suspects.
MELVINDALE
Handyman allegedly uses woman’s vehicle to buy drugs
A woman who hired a man staying at a nearby low-budget motel to cut her grass the evening of April 29 on the recommendation of a neighbor said he offered to use her car, which she said she could not drive, to purchase some cereal from the grocery store for her son. However, when the man was gone for more than an hour, she became concerned that he might not return with the cereal or her car.
Police officers went to the nearby motel, where they saw the woman’s car parked. Police officers were told by witnesses that the man had entered a given room a few minutes earlier. After about 10 minutes, the man answered through the closed door, saying that he did not respond to the officers’ knocks because he feared a physical confrontation. He said the keys to the vehicle were on the floorboard, and that the officers could just take the car.
When the man finally exited the room, he said he did not want to get caught in possession of the crack cocaine he had purchased earlier, so he used it before exiting the room. Police officers searched him and the room, and found no remaining illegal substances.
Later, when one of the police officers drove the vehicle back to the woman’s residence, he discovered the man there, telling the woman that he was afraid that the police officers would charge him with stealing a car. The officer then told the woman what occurred. He sent the man away, and told the woman to be more cautious around strangers.
Tools taken
A 31-year-old man living in the 17500 block of Wall Street reported the afternoon of April 29 that a UPS package containing a DeWalt 186-piece mechanic tool set, valued at $282, was delivered by UPS on April 22, for which he received an alert email. However, the package was stolen before he could take possession of the tools. The man said he waited a week before reporting the theft to ensure that the delivery wasn’t late or accidentally left at another location.
RIVERVIEW
Furniture fraud
A woman reported the afternoon on April 18 that furniture valued at $2,225 was fraudulently charged on March 12 to her Macy’s credit card. Macy’s representatives told the woman to file a police report before they would initiate an investigation.
Man charged with possession of concealed machete
When police officers stopped a man driving a red Ford F-150 pickup truck with no visible license plate the night of April 19 near Sibley Road and Fort Street, they discovered that the man’s driver’s license was suspended and there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest. After the man was arrested and placed in the back of a patrol car, a search of his vehicle uncovered a machete under the driver’s seat, within easy reach of the driver.
The man was taken to the police station, where he was booked and held. The machete was confiscated and logged as evidence in the property room, and his vehicle was impounded and towed.
The man, who posted bond, was charged with driving with a suspended license and possession of a dangerous weapon. He was instructed to contact the 27th District Court within two weeks.
SOUTHGATE
Credit card fraudulently used to send money to Indonesia
A woman reported the afternoon of April 26 that her credit car information was used earlier that day in a fraudulent attempt to send two separate electronic fund transfers, of $498 and $499 respectively, to Indonesia. Her bank declined the transfers, and advised her to file a police report.
Cell phone, CDs stolen from pickup
A black LG V20 Android cell phone and an orange and black CD case with about a dozen CDs inside were reported stolen the afternoon of April 28 by a man who said they were stolen from his 2003 black Dodge Ram pickup the evening of April 27 at MJR Southgate Digital Cinema 20, 15651 Trenton Road, while he was inside watching a movie. The man said the cell phone was in the glove box, and the CD case was on the floorboard. There were no signs of forced entry.
TAYLOR
Cash stolen, ‘paid in full lol’ note left behind
A man reported the afternoon of April 26 that $300 was stolen from his bedroom dresser drawer, and a note with “paid in full lol” was left in its place.
He said he left his residence in the 26600 block of Wick about 7 a.m., and a female roommate left at 11:45 a.m. When she returned about 3:45 p.m., she said the front door was wide open. When the man returned to the residence, he discovered the money missing and saw the handwritten note. He said about $150 was left behind in the drawer.
The man said he owed $200 to a woman who had been at the residence once in the past. He said he did not know her last name, and said he had met her on social media.
The man said the side door normally is left unlocked during the day. The police officers found no signs of forced entry. The officers took the note as evidence, and told him to call them if he learned any more information about the woman.
Security guard thwarts attempted leasing office break in
A Great Lakes Security Co. security guard thwarted a 2:41 a.m. break-in attempt April 28 at the Branford Towne Houses Cooperative, 9775 Pine.
The guard said two black males, dressed completely in black, were attempting to break into the leasing office when she shined a flashlight on them, upon which the two men ran away. She then observed an open window east of the main entrance.
The security guard attempted to follow the men, but was unable to track their movements, and lost track of them on Baker, east of Pine.
Responding officers did not find any fingerprints on the window or blinds. The security guard went through the leasing office with the responding police officers, and said she would contact the co-op personnel as part of her protocol.
TRENTON
Repeat identity theft victim hit with fraudulent Discover account
A man reported to police officers the evening of April 26 that identity thieves who fraudulently used his information in the past may have struck again, opening a Discover Card account in his name.
The man said he got a call from Discover Card on April 14 to confirm charges on his account, and the victim said he was unaware that a new account had been opened. He advised that he had not made the withdrawals, and the account was closed.
The man recently learned that the account was opened March 3 or 4 in Pontiac, and surveillance camera footage shows withdrawals occurring at four different Pontiac ATMs. Discover Card personnel indicated that they are conducting an internal investigation.
Cell phone stolen from locker room during track meet
A Verizon Wireless iPhone 7 was reported stolen the afternoon of April 17 from an unlocked girls’ gym locker at Arthurs Middle School, 4000 Marian Drive, between 3 and 7:30 p.m., in a locker room shared with track teammates from her own school and competitors from Allen Park, Lincoln Park and Taylor Hoover middle schools.
The victim said Verizon Wireless suspended the phone’s service, and that no other items were taken from the locker.
WYANDOTTE
Man arrested for dine-and-dash
A 28-year-old Detroit man who said he left Big Boy Restaurant, 3366 Biddle, the afternoon of April 20 without paying for his food said the restaurant “messed up his order,” but he had no means of paying for the food.
The restaurant said the man ordered two meals and side dishes, and ate all of it without any complaint, and ran up a $31 tab.
The man, who was taken into custody when he left the restroom of a nearby fast food restaurant, has 15 prior retail fraud convictions. He was taken into custody, booked, fingerprinted and lodged.
Narcan saves man from heroin overdose
Police officers used Narcan to save a 46-year-old Wyandotte man in the 200 block of Perry Place who stopped breathing in the early morning hours April 25, and who may have overdosed on heroin.
When police officers responded to the emergency call, a woman took them to where he had collapsed, and found him blue and covered in sweat. He was not breathing, and had vomited. His pupils were constricted, which is consistant with an overdose.
A 4 milligram dose of Narcan was administered to the man’s left nostril. Within two minutes, the man regained consciousness, and was disoriented, initially claiming to have taken sleeping pills, but later admitting to using heroin.
Wyandotte Fire Rescue took the man to Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital for further evaluation.
(Compiled by Zeinab Najm and Sue Suchyta.)