By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers
ALLEN PARK — Police responded to Home Depot, 3163 Fairlane Drive, on a report of retail fraud after a man attempted to steal $583.73 worth of merchandise Jan. 7.
The man attempted to steal several items, but all the merchandise was recovered. The 12 items were: a DeWalt 15 Amp 14-inch cut-off saw valued at $199; two True Blue 48-inch Digital Box Level valued at $139 each; four Magnum 12-inch Aluminum Rafter Squares valued at $12.97 each; and five Empire Laser Etched 7-inch Aluminum Rafter Squares valued at $10.97 each.
According to the report, officers spoke with the store’s asset protection reporting party over the phone who said that a short, white man wearing a black coat and black pants entered the store through the returns door. The man was recognized from prior thefts.
He proceeded toward the front aisle where he selected the items listed. He walked toward the returns door of the store, exited with all unpaid merchandise and passed all points of purchase without paying.
While the man was in the vestibule, the store’s asset protection identified himself but was ignored. The man then fled through the parking lot where he got into a black Ford Edge.
Police checked the license plate which returned to the Edge described as the suspect vehicle. Records showed that the person to whom the Edge is registered lives in Romulus, which promoted an address check and revealed several phone calls for service. Also, records indicated the suspect lives at the same address and matches the physical description of the suspect.
The suspect had several larceny and retail fraud related warrants for his arrest, including three active Allen Park Police Department warrants with one bring for retail fraud.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])