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Posted: 02/27/13

Rash of home invasions
hits Washington Twp

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      Residents in Washington Township are advised to keep an eye out for suspicious activity to put a halt to a string of home invasions.
       The Macomb County Sheriff's Office has arrested a suspect for robbing a local home, but law enforcement is encouraging residents to be extra cautious due to a number of home invasions occurring in the area.
       On Jan. 31, county deputies responded to a home invasion report on Campground Road. Lt. John Michalke said the suspect was discovered by the homeowner taking things from their garage.
       "The homeowner's garage was entered, and they came outside to put wood in the wood stove and encountered someone," Michalke said.
       Michalke said the suspect, a 21-year-old Macomb Township man, was eventually found when the homeowner discovered a number of his stolen items were listed for sale on Craigslist.com. Members of the sheriff's department posed as buyers and eventually discovered the culprit's identity to make the arrest.
       Law officials say the suspect was arraigned and charged with first-degree home invasion and receiving and concealing stolen property over $1,000. The home invasion carries a 20-year sentence, while the stolen property is a five-year felony.
       "We're determining whether they're the same group of people responsible for multiple break-ins in the Washington Township area," Michalke said.
       Though deputies caught the suspect, additional home invasions have been reported. Around Feb. 5, two break-ins involved a suspect forcing open a door of the home and stealing electronics and jewelry. One was on Schoenherr while the other was on Campground.
       Around Feb. 17, two other break-ins occurred. The first was a home invasion in the Seven Ponds area where deputies reported a brick was used to break a window in the walk-out basement of a home.
       The second incident involved suspects breaking into a business on Van Dyke and stealing bottles of cough syrup.
       Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said his department will continue to work the area and investigate any further reports. He said the increase in home invasions calls for vigilance on the part of residents.
       "Neighbors need to look out for each other and report suspicious activity," Wickersham said.
       The victim of the Jan. 31 incident, a Campground resident who wished to remain anonymous, said they were grateful for the quick response of sheriff's office, and encouraged their fellow Washington residents to be careful.
       "We're like low-hanging fruit out here," they said. "Start locking stuff up, write down serial numbers and keep some lights on at night."