Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Residential Crime Alert - February 16, 2005
Residential Crime Alert
February 16, 2005
Recent Incidents
Home Invasions and Break and Entering
There were two (2) Home invasions this week:
An occupied apartment on Coachman was entered and had a TV, DVD player and purse stolen. The perpetrator used the keys from the purse to steal the victim’s car. There were no signs of forced entry to the apartment.
A home on Rodney was entered and several items stolen, including cash, a camera, and jewelry. There were no signs of forced entry and the victim suspects an ex-boy friend is responsible.
An attempt Home invasion occurred on Camilla at approx. 11:08 am. The Resident reports that the suspect knocked on the side door, then walked to rear and attempted to gain entry thru the sliding door wall. The resident also discovered the rear bedroom window open. The mailman reported seeing a white female driving a silver 2 door Ford Escort pull up in front of the address and a white male, 5’10, black hair, ¾ length black leather coat exit the passenger side and walk up to the side of the home.
Crime Prevention Tips
· Always lock all entry doors leading into the home.
· Ensure all entry doors are outfitted with a single cylinder deadbolt lock with at least a 1’ Bolt.
· Security alarms are a good secondary layer to augment physical security.
· Homeowners should consider the installation of a safe for valuables.
· A well-lit exterior is the first line of defense for deterring criminal activity.
· Key control is the “key” to security. Locks are only as good as the access to manipulate them. If you have had a previous roommate don’t merely get their key back, change the locks, or at a minimum have the locks re-keyed by a locksmith.
· Always keep windows locked.
· Door walls are popular among thieves for gaining entry into the home. Door walls should have screws installed in the header that protrude down just far enough for the door to slide but will not allow the door to be lifted out of the track.
Automobile Break-Ins
There were a total of eight (8) auto’s broken into this week:
Three cars had the wheels stolen at Birmingham Chrysler-Plymouth, 2100 W Maple.
A vehicle on Harold street had a window smashed out and speakers stolen.
An unlocked vehicle in the lot of JC Penney at the Oakland Mall was entered and had the radio and some cash stolen.
A truck had the rear window smashed out and tools stolen at the Hooters restaurant on John R.
Two vehicles on Castleton street were broken into and the radios were attacked.
Crime Prevention Tips
Do not leave anything of value in your vehicle in plain view.
· If possible, park your vehicle in your garage. If this is not possible, park in a well-lit area and lock the doors.
· Never leave a vehicle unattended while running.
· While out shopping, lock items purchased in your trunk.
· Protect after-market stereo systems by having them equipped with a removable control face (and taking the faceplate with you.)
Larcenies
A patient at Troy Beaumont Hospital had her purse stolen from her room. This is the 8th complaint of this type we have had in recent weeks. Hospital security suspects that an employee or contractor may be involved, but has not identified any suspects as of yet. The matter is still under investigation.
There have been six (6) other Larcenies committed this week:
A laptop computer was stolen from a business at 880 W. Long Lake.
Machined probes were stolen from a business on Thunderbird.
A purse was stolen from the Postal facility on Bellingham.
An unattended cell phone was stolen from the Bowl one on 14 Mile.
A wheel was stolen from a parked vehicle on Lyons.
Aluminum piping was taken from a business on Acacia.
Two coin-operated machines were broken into at Bowl One, 1639 E. 14 Mile. Videotape shows two black males entering the arcade area of the bowling alley. While one black male blocked the view of the camera, the other black male entered two arcade game coin boxes, removing about $ 100.00 in coins.
Crime Prevention Tips
Always keep control of all your property.
· All articles of value need to be locked in cabinet away from public access.
· When going to a public facility, be it a hospital, fitness center, or any place using a community locker room; take only the essential items to minimize your loss in the event of a theft.
· Car alarms and steering wheel locking devices are good deterrents to auto theft.
Stolen Car
A 1990 GMC pick-up truck was stolen from the lot of the Big Boy Restaurant at 200 W Maple.
Frauds
CREDIT CARD FRAUD ALERT:
We have received information from the Detroit Metro Identity Fraud Task Force and Somerset Collection Security that a group of people is making purchases with altered credit cards. The cards were apparently altered by re-encoding the magnetic strip on the backside of the cards. Most of the altered cards used for purchases were Charter One gift cards, however, any credit card or store gift card that has a magnetic strip on it can be altered.
The perpetrators are re-encoding these cards with stolen active credit card account information. When they swipe the card at a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, it will be approved by the credit bureau.
Last week alone, Somerset Mall reported over $65,000 in purchases made using these altered cards.
Crime Prevention Tips
Always safeguard you personal information.
· Shred all documents containing any personal information.
· Safeguard all credit and debit cards.
· Do not leave any credit or debit cards or checks unattended for any length of time.
Identity theft has become very popular among thieves and our best defense is to be on guard and deny them access to our information.
Retail Frauds
There have been several thefts and frauds this week at various stores in the Oakland and Somerset Mall’s. These include stolen merchandise, employee theft and fraudulent checks.
On 2/15 at 6:50 pm, at Kohl’s, 500 John R, a black male suspect stole bedding and fled out through the west doors. Loss prevention officers confronted the suspect, who assaulted the LPO and threatened to get a gun. The Suspect fled in a waiting green Chevy Beretta with an out of state plate, Z72K, driven by a black female.
A suspect was confronted in the parking lot of the Farmer Jack on 1237 Coolidge with a cart-full of stolen groceries. The suspect fled the area in a white 90’s Toyota with heavy damage to the passenger side. The suspect is described as a black male, 5’ 8” 190 lbs., blue jeans, black shirt, dark shoes and a green and blue “Charlotte Hornets” hat. The recovered groceries were valued at $646.04.
If you have any information on any of the cases cited please contact the Troy Police Department.
February 16, 2005
Recent Incidents
Home Invasions and Break and Entering
There were two (2) Home invasions this week:
An occupied apartment on Coachman was entered and had a TV, DVD player and purse stolen. The perpetrator used the keys from the purse to steal the victim’s car. There were no signs of forced entry to the apartment.
A home on Rodney was entered and several items stolen, including cash, a camera, and jewelry. There were no signs of forced entry and the victim suspects an ex-boy friend is responsible.
An attempt Home invasion occurred on Camilla at approx. 11:08 am. The Resident reports that the suspect knocked on the side door, then walked to rear and attempted to gain entry thru the sliding door wall. The resident also discovered the rear bedroom window open. The mailman reported seeing a white female driving a silver 2 door Ford Escort pull up in front of the address and a white male, 5’10, black hair, ¾ length black leather coat exit the passenger side and walk up to the side of the home.
Crime Prevention Tips
· Always lock all entry doors leading into the home.
· Ensure all entry doors are outfitted with a single cylinder deadbolt lock with at least a 1’ Bolt.
· Security alarms are a good secondary layer to augment physical security.
· Homeowners should consider the installation of a safe for valuables.
· A well-lit exterior is the first line of defense for deterring criminal activity.
· Key control is the “key” to security. Locks are only as good as the access to manipulate them. If you have had a previous roommate don’t merely get their key back, change the locks, or at a minimum have the locks re-keyed by a locksmith.
· Always keep windows locked.
· Door walls are popular among thieves for gaining entry into the home. Door walls should have screws installed in the header that protrude down just far enough for the door to slide but will not allow the door to be lifted out of the track.
Automobile Break-Ins
There were a total of eight (8) auto’s broken into this week:
Three cars had the wheels stolen at Birmingham Chrysler-Plymouth, 2100 W Maple.
A vehicle on Harold street had a window smashed out and speakers stolen.
An unlocked vehicle in the lot of JC Penney at the Oakland Mall was entered and had the radio and some cash stolen.
A truck had the rear window smashed out and tools stolen at the Hooters restaurant on John R.
Two vehicles on Castleton street were broken into and the radios were attacked.
Crime Prevention Tips
Do not leave anything of value in your vehicle in plain view.
· If possible, park your vehicle in your garage. If this is not possible, park in a well-lit area and lock the doors.
· Never leave a vehicle unattended while running.
· While out shopping, lock items purchased in your trunk.
· Protect after-market stereo systems by having them equipped with a removable control face (and taking the faceplate with you.)
Larcenies
A patient at Troy Beaumont Hospital had her purse stolen from her room. This is the 8th complaint of this type we have had in recent weeks. Hospital security suspects that an employee or contractor may be involved, but has not identified any suspects as of yet. The matter is still under investigation.
There have been six (6) other Larcenies committed this week:
A laptop computer was stolen from a business at 880 W. Long Lake.
Machined probes were stolen from a business on Thunderbird.
A purse was stolen from the Postal facility on Bellingham.
An unattended cell phone was stolen from the Bowl one on 14 Mile.
A wheel was stolen from a parked vehicle on Lyons.
Aluminum piping was taken from a business on Acacia.
Two coin-operated machines were broken into at Bowl One, 1639 E. 14 Mile. Videotape shows two black males entering the arcade area of the bowling alley. While one black male blocked the view of the camera, the other black male entered two arcade game coin boxes, removing about $ 100.00 in coins.
Crime Prevention Tips
Always keep control of all your property.
· All articles of value need to be locked in cabinet away from public access.
· When going to a public facility, be it a hospital, fitness center, or any place using a community locker room; take only the essential items to minimize your loss in the event of a theft.
· Car alarms and steering wheel locking devices are good deterrents to auto theft.
Stolen Car
A 1990 GMC pick-up truck was stolen from the lot of the Big Boy Restaurant at 200 W Maple.
Frauds
CREDIT CARD FRAUD ALERT:
We have received information from the Detroit Metro Identity Fraud Task Force and Somerset Collection Security that a group of people is making purchases with altered credit cards. The cards were apparently altered by re-encoding the magnetic strip on the backside of the cards. Most of the altered cards used for purchases were Charter One gift cards, however, any credit card or store gift card that has a magnetic strip on it can be altered.
The perpetrators are re-encoding these cards with stolen active credit card account information. When they swipe the card at a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, it will be approved by the credit bureau.
Last week alone, Somerset Mall reported over $65,000 in purchases made using these altered cards.
Crime Prevention Tips
Always safeguard you personal information.
· Shred all documents containing any personal information.
· Safeguard all credit and debit cards.
· Do not leave any credit or debit cards or checks unattended for any length of time.
Identity theft has become very popular among thieves and our best defense is to be on guard and deny them access to our information.
Retail Frauds
There have been several thefts and frauds this week at various stores in the Oakland and Somerset Mall’s. These include stolen merchandise, employee theft and fraudulent checks.
On 2/15 at 6:50 pm, at Kohl’s, 500 John R, a black male suspect stole bedding and fled out through the west doors. Loss prevention officers confronted the suspect, who assaulted the LPO and threatened to get a gun. The Suspect fled in a waiting green Chevy Beretta with an out of state plate, Z72K, driven by a black female.
A suspect was confronted in the parking lot of the Farmer Jack on 1237 Coolidge with a cart-full of stolen groceries. The suspect fled the area in a white 90’s Toyota with heavy damage to the passenger side. The suspect is described as a black male, 5’ 8” 190 lbs., blue jeans, black shirt, dark shoes and a green and blue “Charlotte Hornets” hat. The recovered groceries were valued at $646.04.
If you have any information on any of the cases cited please contact the Troy Police Department.
