Friday, September 09, 2005
Residential and Business Crime Alert for September 9, 2005
Residential and Business Crime Alert
September 9, 2005
Be wary of people claiming to be soliciting money for the Hurricane victims. Many of these people are Scam Artist taking advantage of a bad situation and your generosity. If you want to contribute to the relief effort, make your donation through your church or directly to one of the major relief organizations. You can find some of them by clicking here:
USA Freedom Corps
American Red Cross
Or, scroll to the bottom of the page for more suggestions.
Recent Incidents
Fraud Crimes
A resident on Pine Hill discovered two unauthorized electronic transactions from her checking account. They were transferred to a cell phone company with whom she has no account or business relationship. Total: $981.42 She suspects her ATM card number was compromised during a recent transaction.
Wal-Mart, 2001 W. Maple, 9/1, 4:34 PM. Loss Prevention Officers reported that a 54-year-old female from Southfield made a purchase with a counterfeit $20.00 bill. She advised officers she is an Avon Product representative, and believes she received the $20.00 from a sale she made on 8/31. She was released pending further investigation. US Secret Service advised.
A resident on Balfour noticed his credit card missing on 8/30. He did not report it stolen or missing until 9/2, when he discovered 4 unauthorized charges made against it for a total of $1182.00.
A resident on Kirts discovered, while applying for a mortgage, that someone had opened an unauthorized credit account for several thousand dollars in her name. It was billed to an address in Detroit, with which she is unfamiliar. The account was listed as being turned over to a collection agency.
A resident on Chanterell received a call from a computer company representative checking to verify a purchase of over $1000.00 worth of equipment destined for Nigeria on the resident’s credit account. He did not authorize the purchase. He cancelled his account and flagged others for possible fraud. He suspects the account was compromised during the course of a recent Internet purchase.
Breaking and Entering and Home Invasions
Kirts, 8/17-8/31. Lock clasps were pried apart on a basement storage locker and two tackle boxes were stolen.
Premium Air Supply, 1051 Naughton, 9/4-9/5, 3:00 pm-3:56 pm. An office window was broken out and evidence suggests that a suspect had entered the building. It did not appear that the suspect went beyond the office, as other interior doors were found secure. Nothing appeared missing. A silver Ford Explorer was seen exiting the parking lot as the building representative arrived.
Pembroke School, 955 N. Eaton, 9/4, 10:31 pm. Officers responding to an interior motion alarm observed a white male, early teens, 5’10, 160, brown hair, thin build, wearing a crème colored or white pullover long sleeved sweater, and jeans fleeing on foot from the northeast hallway. A door was found unlocked on the south side of the building. There was no forced entry and nothing appeared damaged or missing. Officers were unable to locate the suspect.
Gonzales Production Systems, 1400 Rochester Road, 9/3-9/6, Entry was gained through a pedestrian door with a defective lock. Vending machines were broken into; several tools and tools boxes were stolen.
Morehead, 9/2-9/3. A rear door was pried open and the home was entered. A small amount of cash and jewelry was stolen from the bedrooms.
Larceny
GM, 1870 Technology, 8/1-9/1. A projector was stolen from a storage cabinet.
Pond Ridge, 8/22. An unlocked ’87 Cadillac parked in lot was entered; car keys and a cell phone were stolen.
Dean Sellers, 2600 W. Maple, 7/17-9/1, A 2000 Honda was entered while it was parked and the speaker system stolen.
Vehma International, 8/15-8/19. A desktop computer was stolen from a work area.
Salem, 9/4. The resident discovered several items valued at several thousand dollars missing. The house had been secure, was secure when they returned, and there were no signs of forced entry.
Courtyard by Marriott, 1525 E, Maple, 9/3, 9:00 pm – 6:00 am. A 2004 Pontiac parked in lot had a window broken, which allowed access to the truck. A lug wrench was removed, and the wheels were stolen.
Express, 2800 W. Big Beaver, 9/3, 1:30 pm. A shopper left her purse on the counter and exited the store. When she returned to retrieve it, it was gone.
Bahama Breeze, 539 E. Big Beaver, 9/5, 10:00 pm. A patron left her cell phone in the restroom; when she returned to retrieve it, it was gone.
Flynn Park, 9/6, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm. A purse was stolen from a 2001 Ford Windstar. No sign of forced entry; It was probably unlocked, but victim is not sure.
Tacoma, 7/25-8/2. The resident has been unable to locate a paycheck that she left in her home; she recently received notice that someone cashed it without her permission. Location of transaction is currently not known.
Assault
McDonald’s, 36895 Dequindre, 9/1, 9:51 PM. A 59-year-old male resident of Troy reported that a male driver of a ’99 Mercedes cut his daughter off as they pulled into the drive-through lane to get ahead of them. The complainant was passenger; his 15-year-old daughter was driving. Horns were sounded and middle fingers exchanged between complainant and the other driver, the complainant exited his car to confront the other driver, who exited his car. They exchanged words, and the complainant was thrown to the ground by the other driver, who then drove off. The suspect vehicle registers to a 29-year-old male from Sterling Heights, who did not respond to PD attempts to contact him and garner his version of events. (Note: The Troy Police Department does not recommend this teaching method for new drivers.)
Villa Park, 9/1, 3:40 PM. A 15-year-old girl was confronted by a 16-year-old boy who accused her of “talking about him.” He slapped her, resulting in a slight bloody nose. The boy was located and told officers that the girl confronted him about his throwing items at her on the bus. He claimed she took a swing at him; he blocked the punch, then swung back fearing additional strikes from complainant. Both sets of parents were appraised of the incident.
Sandalwood, 9/6, 7:35 pm. A 56-year-old male confronted a 21-year-old male, whom he suspected of stealing a jersey from his residence, as well as calling his daughter vulgar names. When the 21 year old refused to apologize for the name calling, reinforcing his opinion of suspect’s daughter, suspect punched him in the face. The victim allowed officers to search for the stolen jersey with negative results. The 56 year old was arrested.
Stolen Automobiles
Tennyson, 8/31-9/1, 10:30 PM –1:00 AM. A 2001 Chevy S10 Pickup was stolen from the street in front of residence. The vehicle was for sale and the owner received an inquiry on it during which he provided directions to the caller, however that individual didn’t show up for his appointment.
Kirts, 8/31-9/1, 2200-1100 hrs. A 2003 and a 2004 Honda motorcycle were stolen from parking lots.
Berwyck, 9/1-9/2, 11:45 pm – 1:30 am. A 2005 Chevy Cobalt was discovered stolen from in front of the house. Utica PD arrested a 19 year old from Rochester who was driving the vehicle on a suspended license. The 19 year old is a friend of the owner’s son, and it appears that the son left a spare set of keys in the vehicle. The suspect’s car was located parked down the street from owner’s house.
Beaver Run, 9/5. A resident found the driver side door lock pried on his 2005 Dodge Durango.
Horn Corporation, 1263 Rochester, 9/7-9/8, 10:45 pm – 6:00 am. A 37-year-old male employee from Madison Heights is suspected of taking the company’s 2000 Dodge Caravan, as well as a Dodge Ram pickup. It appears he drove off in the minivan, then later returned riding a bike and took the pickup. He returned the pickup later, crashing it into a Jaguar that was parked in the lot when he did. He left a note, indicating the van was at a 7-11 on Campbell near Gardenia in Royal Oak. The note indicates he got into a fight there and lost the keys. The van was recovered at the store. Investigation continues.
Retail Crimes (Retail Fraud, Embezzlements, etc.)
Steve and Barry’s, 412 W. 14 Mile, 9/1. 59 year old male from Detroit arrested after stealing $174.50 worth of merchandise. A small amount of cocaine was found in his possession for which he was also charged.
Foot Locker, 412 W. 14 Mile, 6/23-8/28, LPO reported discovering 36 year old male store manager from Hazel Park was conducting fraudulent returns and taking the money himself. When confronted, he gave her the keys and stated he quit. Total: $2974.00. Prosecution is pending.
Cingular Wireless, 810 W. 14 Mile, 6/22-6/23, Manager reported that cash believed placed in deposit bags and TOT transport company was never deposited into company’s account. Unknown if discrepancy is internal, or occurred after transport.
7-11, 5020 John R, 9/3, 3:10 am. A white male, 20 years old, 5’6, 140, wearing a gray button shirt and a black ball cap, removed a 12 pack of beer from the cooler, exited the store without attempting payment. He entered a gray Pontiac that was waiting on the south side of the store driven by another person. The vehicle fled E/B on Long Lake.
JC Penney, 700 W. 14 Mile, 9/6, 7:45 pm. Loss Prevention Officers observed two females and two males together in the store. The 17-year-old female from Warren stole $136.98 worth of merchandise, concealing it in her purse and a shopping bag she was carrying. When the LPO approached her when she left the store, her 18-year-old boyfriend from Warren assaulted the LPO, placing him in a headlock while the female broke free and fled. She dropped her purse and shopping bag, which her 15-year-old sister picked up and fled with in the company of another 18-year-old male from Warren, also part of the group. The LPO broke loose from the boyfriend, and caught up with the female outside. She again struggled against his attempt to detain her, grabbing and squeezing his genitals. Her boyfriend arrived and began threatening the LPO, however the LPO was able to gain control and escort her to the LPO office. Responding Troy Officers located the other pair in the parking lot. The 15 year old was in possession of her sister’s purse, which contained the stolen merchandise, along with additional merchandise suspected of being stolen. The sisters were arrested for retail fraud, and assault. Charges are pending for assault and aiding and abetting against the 18 year old male who assaulted the LPO and assisted with his girlfriend’s initial escape.
Kohl’s, 500 John R, 9/8, 3:20 pm. A 1997 Dodge Dakota, occupied by three white males, pulled up to west doors and dropped one suspect off. He entered store and stole a $349.99 set of pans, and walked out the north doors where the pickup was waiting for him. The vehicle, which registers to a male from Warren, fled the scene.
Trainers Academy – Yuppy Puppy, 1016 Troy Court, 1/03-8/05. The business owner suspects their former accountant, a 44 year old female from Auburn Hills, of several thousand dollars of fraudulent activity, including issuing herself and cashing business checks, issuing herself extra paychecks, and making personal purchases and paying personal bills from the company’s account. She is believed to be in possession of the company’s van, as well. Investigation continues.
Suspicious People and Incidents
Jaycee Park, 9/1, 3:30 PM. An 11-year-old girl reported that as she walked across the parking lot of Jaycee Park, she observed a white male in his 20’s with a leg out of his parked white car. As she walked past, she felt that the man attempted to follow her briefly. She continued through the lot without looking back and without incident. The park was checked by a neighbor, who obtained a license plate from what she believed was the suspect vehicle. It was gone when officers arrived. It registers to a 2 door ’04 Chevy Cavalier to a 26-year-old male from Portage, MI.
Fedora, 9/2, 1200 pm –7:00 pm. Someone placed a plastic bag containing gasoline and feces in complainant’s mailbox. No damage.
Vandalisms
Fernleigh St. and Forsyth St., 9/3-9/4, 1100 pm –6:00 am. Two mailboxes and a no parking sign were damaged.
Strategic Title, 700 Tower, 9/5, 8:00 am –12:20 pm. An exterior office window was broken by unknown means.
Automate, 1906 Brinston, 9/6, 12:45 pm –3:50 pm. A large rock was thrown through the rear window of a 1998 Chevy pickup parked in rear lot.
Alcohol and Drug Offenses
John R and Maple, 9/1, 5:07 PM. Three separate cell callers reported ’94 Mercedes all over the roadway. An ambulance driver also observed erratic driving, and followed vehicle as it pulled into a parking lot in the industrial subdivision west of John R. When officers approached, the 42-year-old male from Clarkston was slumped over the wheel w/the engine running. He was extremely intoxicated, barely able to talk, and unable to walk without assistance. He admitted consuming almost a full pint of Vodka. He was arrested, and blew .34 on a breath test.
S/B I-75 near 14 Mile, 9/4, 4:40 pm. A 1993 Saturn was stopped for driving with an altered and improper plate; plate was supposed to be on a Cadillac and the formerly white expiration tab had been colored yellow to appear current. The driver provided an old license which when queried via the computer indicated that it had been obtained fraudulently. The 52-year-old female driver from Orion was eventually identified. She was arrested for driving on a revoked license. A small amount of cocaine, as well as several prescription medications that she was illegally possessing, including Oxycontin, Morphine, and Methadone were located in the vehicle and her purse. She was charged with Driver License violations and drug offenses.
14 Mile and John R, 9/4, 4:32 pm. Officers stopped a 1992 Ford Crown Victoria for an expired plate. The driver initially provided incorrect information regarding his true identity, however he was eventually identified and three warrants were discovered for his arrest from other jurisdictions. 3.4 grams of marijuana were located in his pocket. The 26-year-old male driver from Detroit was arrested.
Big Beaver and Wrenwood, 9/2, 5:16 pm. Officers located and stopped a motorcycle in response to cell phone report that the female passenger was passing an open beer to the male driver. Upon being stopped, the 49-year-old female passenger from Warren tried to hide a brown bag containing the open beer beneath her. It spilled out of the bag and ran all over the bike. She and the 52 year old male driver from Detroit were cited for open intoxicants and released after it was determined the driver was not under the influence.
Wright and Fabius, 9/5, 2:00 am. Officers responded to report of a crash where the driver fled on foot. The wallet of a 19-year-old male from Troy was found inside the car, which registered to his address on Wright. Officers went there and found a 20-year-old male from Rochester Hills attempting to enter the residence, and another 20 year old male from Rochester Hills locked in the bathroom, vomiting. One blew a .19 on a preliminary breath test, the other .08. Both were cited for Minors Consuming Alcohol. Neither would tell the location of the missing driver. A female who identified herself as the girlfriend of the driver was found hiding under the bed. She claimed she was sleeping, and didn’t know where he was. She called driver’s mother, the homeowner, who indicated that her son was not injured, but would not be returning to residence that night. She would not provide his location. Investigation continues.
Drury Inn, 575 W. Big Beaver, 9/5, 12:28 pm. Management discovered evidence of narcotics use in one of the rooms. Officers made contact with the occupants and discovered a small quantity of heroin and cocaine, as well as associated paraphernalia linked to their use. Arrested were a 33-year-old female from Detroit, a 32-year-old male from Auburn Hills, and a 32-year-old male from West Bloomfield.
Phone Calls / Harassment / Threats
A business representative reported that an employee walked off the job without saying anything, and has not returned. The former employee has since made two threatening calls to him.
A resident on Westaway reported that a resident of South Blvd. approached him and invited him to follow him across the street if he wanted to fight. The caller did not do so, and reported that the subject has been engaging him in similar, harassing behavior in the recent past.
A resident has been receiving telephone threats at work from a male suspect currently residing in Florida.
A resident reported receiving phone threats from an ex-boyfriend.
A resident reported hiring a contractor to fix her garage door. When he showed up late, she declined his service. He left upset about wasted fuel. A female called from the company and, during the conversation, swore at resident, and advised her to be careful in case one of the tires came off her car. The same female called again telling the resident that she was sending her the bill and would take her to court if she didn’t pay it. The resident sent the company $10.00 for their “wasted gas.”
Miscellaneous Incidents
Auburn Hills PD contacted Troy PD and reported they had a victim following a Nissan Xterra SE being driven by a female who brandished what appeared to be a black 9mm handgun during the course of a traffic altercation that occurred in their town. Troy Officers located the vehicle in question and stopped it on Big Beaver near John R. A black pellet gun was located just under the driver’s seat. It resembled a 9mm handgun. The 44-year-old female driver from Burtan, MI admitted involvement in the altercation, but denied brandishing the pellet gun, claiming she was holding a grip strengthener. She was unable to explain how the complainant was able to provide an exact description of the gun, if in fact she had not held it in view. Auburn Hills PO arrived on scene and the case was turned over to them.
Burtman, 9/2, 2:15 am. A 28-year-old female from Royal Oak claimed that her 42-year-old female friend from Troy accused her of stealing a gift card, then pushed her down and slapped her after she denied taking it. The 42 year old claims that the complainant got angry at her when she refused to let her take her car to buy heroin. She stated she has been allowing complainant to stay at her house the last couple days, but told her to leave after the argument over the drugs. She stated there was never a physical confrontation. Officers assisted the complainant to collect her property and transported her to Royal Oak.
A 62-year-old male suffering from Alzheimer’s wandered from his home and showed up at neighbor’s door. Officers took him home and contacted his son who responded to the scene. He advised he’d be seeking alternative arrangements for his father’s care.
Troy High, 4777 Northfield, 9/4, 10:43 pm. A citizen reported a 2003 Ford Focus and a 2001 Honda CRV doing donuts on the baseball field. Officers located the cars, parked on a nearby residential street, with two males fleeing on foot. Officers watched and waited from a distance. Eventually the two male drivers returned and were detained. Both were 16 years old, from Troy. There was no damage to the fields. Both drivers admitted to the driving. They were transported home and turned over to their parents. The Juvenile Officers will follow-up on possible driving charges and other sanctions.
A resident on John R located an elderly male in front of his house. The subject was confused and could not provide identifying information. He was transported to Troy Beaumont hospital. His daughter contacted the hospital because he had walked away from home.
Arrest Summary
Livernois and Maple, 9/5, 9:45 pm. A witness reported a male and female arguing in a parking lot, with the male brandishing a large hunting knife at the female. Clawson officers located the subjects in a vehicle and stopped them. A large unsheathed hunting knife was recovered from the waistband of the 55-year-old male from Clawson. Both he and his 51-year-old female passenger denied any domestic assault; both denied any brandishing of the knife occurred. The male claimed he carried the knife for protection in case he had any trouble with anyone. He was arrested. The female was also arrested on an outstanding warrant from another jurisdiction.
N/B I-75 north of Big Beaver, 9/3, 10:08 pm. An officer driving an unmarked car observed a 2005 Cadillac STS approaching from behind at high speed. As the Cadillac approached other cars in front of it, the driver would flash the bright lights to get them to move out of his way. He did this to the unmarked police car then accelerated northbound at speeds exceeding 110 mph. The vehicle was stopped. The 63-year-old male driver from Rochester Hills failed sobriety tests and was arrested. He blew .08 on a breath test.
S/B I-75 and Long Lake, 9/3, 10:05 pm. An officer observed a 2005 Chevy Monte Carlo driving on the right shoulder at approximately 70 mph. The vehicle fishtailed at one point, nearly loosing control. It veered back onto the roadway just before colliding with vehicles stopped on the right shoulder at the scene of a traffic stop. The vehicle was stopped. The driver claimed he drove onto the shoulder to avoid a crash with the vehicle in front of him that suddenly slowed down. The 23-year-old male driver from Belleville failed sobriety tests and was arrested. He blew .14 on a breath test.
Maple and Coolidge, 9/3, 12:37 am. A cell phone caller reported a 2002 Chevy Malibu driving erratically. Officer located and stopped it. The driver claimed not to have his license with him, and verbally identified himself with information that turned out to be false. After failing sobriety tests and being advised he was under arrest, he pulled away from officers and fled on foot into a nearby residential area. Other officers responding to the incident located and arrested him. A 20-year-old female passenger from Royal Oak blew .05 on a PBT and she was cited for Minor Consuming Alcohol. There was a 21-year-old male passenger from Royal Oak in the rear seat. Two bottles of beer and a bottle of Vodka were recovered from the vehicle. The passengers were released on the scene; the alcohol was confiscated. The 20-year-old male driver from Detroit was positively identified. He blew .12 on a breath test. He was charged with drunk driving, providing false identification to police, resisting arrest, and driving on a suspended license.
Rochester and Long Lake, 9/4, 3:42 am. An officer was stopped at a red light N/B on Rochester at Long Lake when he observed a 2001 Jaguar approaching directly behind him in the same lane at a high rate of speed. It appeared the jaguar was going to crash into the rear of the fully marked patrol car, however the Jaguar made a sudden lane change, veering around the police car, then proceeding through the solid red light. The Jaguar was traveling at approximately 80 mph. It was stopped. The driver claimed he had been drinking at a bar in Detroit and was upset after an argument with his girlfriend. He was alone in the car. The 24-year-old male from Troy failed sobriety tests and was arrested. He blew .15 on a breath test.
Northfield Hilton, 5500 Crooks, 9/4, 1:00 am – 4:30 am. Officers were called to assist security personal at the hotel with a disturbance involving a large number of attendees at a function being hosted on the site. Officers and Security cleared the ballroom. Three arrests were made in connection with the incident. A fight involving a 19-year-old male from Chicago and a 20-year-old male from Sterling Heights broke out in the lobby wherein the 19 year old allegedly broke a bottle over the 20-year-old’s head. The 19 year old and his associates fled on foot when officers arrived in the area. The 20 year old had a cut in his head, and was bleeding. Officers pursued the 19 year old and eventually caught and arrested him. Upon return to the lobby, they found the 20 year old had left and could not be located. The 19 year old was booked and released pending further investigation. A 23-year-old male from Macomb Twp. was arrested after he and his associates reportedly entered the room of a 19-year-old male from Scarborough, Ontario threatened him, and the 23 year old threw a beer bottle at him. The victim escaped through an open window. A 21-year-old male from Rochelle Park, New Jersey was arrested for trespassing after hotel management evicted him for causing a disturbance and returned in spite of being warned by officers that if he did he’d be arrested.
In addition to those outlined above, the following arrests were also made during the period:
Domestic Assault: 2
Drunk Driving: 7
Disorderly Conduct: 1
Possess Marijuana: 1
Retail Fraud: 2
Drove While License Suspended: 13
Warrants: 5
Volunteers and Contributions Needed for Hurricane Katrina
Volunteers are needed due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. If you would like to assist in the disaster relief and recovery efforts or make a contribution, please contact any of the following agencies for more information.
American Red Cross
1-866 GET INFO and 1-880 HELP NOW
American Red Cross
USA Freedom Corp
Salvation Army
1-800 SAL ARMY
http://www.salvationarmy.org/
Charity Navigator Organization
List of 4600 charities
1-201 818-1288
www.charitynavigator.org
FEMA
www.fema.gov
Alabama Governor's Emergency Relief Fund
www.servealabama.gov
1-877-273-5018
Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
www.louisianahelp.org
1-877-HELPLA1
Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund
www.mississippirecovery.com
1-866-230-8903
Lutheran World Relief
http://www.lwr.org/
Baptist World Alliance
http://www.bwanet.org/bwaid
Catholic Charities USA Disaster Relief
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints Emergency Response
1-801-422-3945 or 1-801-240-7688
http://lds.org/
Crime Prevention Tips
Fraud Prevention
(If someone asks for personal information, ask to speak to his or her supervisor and inform him or her you will be calling the Police to make a fraud report.)
No reputable business will call you or email you for this information!!!
Identity theft continues to be the fastest growing crime in the world, and the city of Troy is no exception. We continually get reports of identity theft and fraud on a regular basis.
While it may not be totally avoidable, detecting the early signs of identity theft is one of the best ways to avoid extensive losses and damage to your credit history.
If your wallet/purse etc. gets stolen, cancel all stolen credit and ATM cards immediately.
Checking your credit history regularly is a great way to keep appraised on the status of your credit.
Here are three sources for checking your credit history:
(The titles are links to the webpages)
Equifax
1-800-525-6282
Experian
1-888-397-3742
TransUnion
1-800-680-7289
Home Invasion / B&E Prevention
Always secure your doors and windows.
Larcenies from Autos /
Car Theft Prevention
Things that can be done to combat auto theft and larcenies from autos include:
Assault Prevention
Don’t let someone else’s driving cause you to lose your temper. If someone says or does something to you to make you angry, stop and allow yourself to calm down before taking any action. All too often, people react to a driver cutting them off or a rude neighbor by sinking to their level and getting involved in a physical confrontation. A better course of action is to allow the other driver to merge and provide a safe cushion zone between the cars. If you feel yourself being antagonized, call the police and let us help to settle the matter in a calm, legal, and non-violent way.
Retail Fraud Prevention
All store personnel should be trained on the store policy that deals with retail fraud (shoplifting) and how the company wants them to respond.
Store personnel should have the phone numbers to call readily available if they suspect retail fraud or any other crime.
A lone employee should not try to apprehend retail fraud suspects themselves. Call your Mall Security or the Troy Police Dispatch Center at 248-524-3477 for in-progress crimes or assistance apprehending fleeing criminal suspects.
Surveillance video has shown that cameras that are obvious to criminals are a good deterrent to crime. Criminals can be seen trying to hide from the camera, or dropping the merchandise they tried to steal when they spotted the camera.
The Troy Police offers training to store personnel on theft prevention and detection, fraud, and other retail-related crimes. Contact the Retail Liaison at 248-680-7224 for more information.
Vandalism Prevention
The best way to protect yourself from this crime, or from being held financially responsible for the acts of your kids, is to know where your children are, what they are doing, and whom their friends are. Kids are very tech-savvy, and use the latest means to communicate. We have had numerous cases where middle and high-school aged kids have made clandestine plans using their home computer and instant-messaging programs (AIM, Yahoo Messenger, etc.) to communicate with their friends, unbeknownst to their parents (no phones ringing in the middle of the night.) They sneak out of the house and meet up to go and commit all sorts of crimes. This is not only illegal, but it is very dangerous.
If you suspect that your kids have been out vandalizing property, or committing any other crimes, you can contact the Police Department Juvenile Unit, or Troy Youth Assistance for advice.
Juvenile Unit – 248-524-3451
Youth Assistance - 248-823-5095
General
If you witness a crime:
Suspicious Incidents / People
If it appears that someone is up to no-good, they probably are. Call the Police immediately. We are trained to investigate suspicious circumstances and determine if criminal activity is afoot.
The best security system that you can have is a “Nosy Neighbor.” Encourage your neighbors to be “Nosy,” especially if there is strange activity around your property. Return the favor by keeping a watchful eye on their property and reporting it immediately. This is the basis for the Neighborhood Watch program.
If someone or something seems “suspicious” to you or makes you feel uncomfortable, there is probably good reason for it. Don’t get into the habit of second-guessing your intuition and instinct.
Sexual predators are usually progressive, starting out with public exposure and leading to more risky and dangerous behaviors. You can check the state of Michigan registered sex offenders list at www.mipsor.state.mi.us for offenders that live in your area.
Alcohol / Drugs
The Graduation season brings celebrations, parties and alcohol consumption. Unfortunately we also see an increase in drunk driving.
Be responsible, if you drink, DO NOT DRIVE!
If you serve alcohol, make sure that your guests make it home safely.
Don’t serve alcohol to underaged children
We all must share the roads, don’t risk the lives of others or yourself. It is not a good idea to mix Alcohol with other activities like boating or swimming. If you drink, do it in moderation and don’t drive or put yourself and other at risk.
If you have any information on illegal drug activity call our tip line at 248-524-0777.
September 9, 2005
Be wary of people claiming to be soliciting money for the Hurricane victims. Many of these people are Scam Artist taking advantage of a bad situation and your generosity. If you want to contribute to the relief effort, make your donation through your church or directly to one of the major relief organizations. You can find some of them by clicking here:
USA Freedom Corps
American Red Cross
Or, scroll to the bottom of the page for more suggestions.
Recent Incidents
Fraud Crimes
A resident on Pine Hill discovered two unauthorized electronic transactions from her checking account. They were transferred to a cell phone company with whom she has no account or business relationship. Total: $981.42 She suspects her ATM card number was compromised during a recent transaction.
Wal-Mart, 2001 W. Maple, 9/1, 4:34 PM. Loss Prevention Officers reported that a 54-year-old female from Southfield made a purchase with a counterfeit $20.00 bill. She advised officers she is an Avon Product representative, and believes she received the $20.00 from a sale she made on 8/31. She was released pending further investigation. US Secret Service advised.
A resident on Balfour noticed his credit card missing on 8/30. He did not report it stolen or missing until 9/2, when he discovered 4 unauthorized charges made against it for a total of $1182.00.
A resident on Kirts discovered, while applying for a mortgage, that someone had opened an unauthorized credit account for several thousand dollars in her name. It was billed to an address in Detroit, with which she is unfamiliar. The account was listed as being turned over to a collection agency.
A resident on Chanterell received a call from a computer company representative checking to verify a purchase of over $1000.00 worth of equipment destined for Nigeria on the resident’s credit account. He did not authorize the purchase. He cancelled his account and flagged others for possible fraud. He suspects the account was compromised during the course of a recent Internet purchase.
Breaking and Entering and Home Invasions
Kirts, 8/17-8/31. Lock clasps were pried apart on a basement storage locker and two tackle boxes were stolen.
Premium Air Supply, 1051 Naughton, 9/4-9/5, 3:00 pm-3:56 pm. An office window was broken out and evidence suggests that a suspect had entered the building. It did not appear that the suspect went beyond the office, as other interior doors were found secure. Nothing appeared missing. A silver Ford Explorer was seen exiting the parking lot as the building representative arrived.
Pembroke School, 955 N. Eaton, 9/4, 10:31 pm. Officers responding to an interior motion alarm observed a white male, early teens, 5’10, 160, brown hair, thin build, wearing a crème colored or white pullover long sleeved sweater, and jeans fleeing on foot from the northeast hallway. A door was found unlocked on the south side of the building. There was no forced entry and nothing appeared damaged or missing. Officers were unable to locate the suspect.
Gonzales Production Systems, 1400 Rochester Road, 9/3-9/6, Entry was gained through a pedestrian door with a defective lock. Vending machines were broken into; several tools and tools boxes were stolen.
Morehead, 9/2-9/3. A rear door was pried open and the home was entered. A small amount of cash and jewelry was stolen from the bedrooms.
Larceny
GM, 1870 Technology, 8/1-9/1. A projector was stolen from a storage cabinet.
Pond Ridge, 8/22. An unlocked ’87 Cadillac parked in lot was entered; car keys and a cell phone were stolen.
Dean Sellers, 2600 W. Maple, 7/17-9/1, A 2000 Honda was entered while it was parked and the speaker system stolen.
Vehma International, 8/15-8/19. A desktop computer was stolen from a work area.
Salem, 9/4. The resident discovered several items valued at several thousand dollars missing. The house had been secure, was secure when they returned, and there were no signs of forced entry.
Courtyard by Marriott, 1525 E, Maple, 9/3, 9:00 pm – 6:00 am. A 2004 Pontiac parked in lot had a window broken, which allowed access to the truck. A lug wrench was removed, and the wheels were stolen.
Express, 2800 W. Big Beaver, 9/3, 1:30 pm. A shopper left her purse on the counter and exited the store. When she returned to retrieve it, it was gone.
Bahama Breeze, 539 E. Big Beaver, 9/5, 10:00 pm. A patron left her cell phone in the restroom; when she returned to retrieve it, it was gone.
Flynn Park, 9/6, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm. A purse was stolen from a 2001 Ford Windstar. No sign of forced entry; It was probably unlocked, but victim is not sure.
Tacoma, 7/25-8/2. The resident has been unable to locate a paycheck that she left in her home; she recently received notice that someone cashed it without her permission. Location of transaction is currently not known.
Assault
McDonald’s, 36895 Dequindre, 9/1, 9:51 PM. A 59-year-old male resident of Troy reported that a male driver of a ’99 Mercedes cut his daughter off as they pulled into the drive-through lane to get ahead of them. The complainant was passenger; his 15-year-old daughter was driving. Horns were sounded and middle fingers exchanged between complainant and the other driver, the complainant exited his car to confront the other driver, who exited his car. They exchanged words, and the complainant was thrown to the ground by the other driver, who then drove off. The suspect vehicle registers to a 29-year-old male from Sterling Heights, who did not respond to PD attempts to contact him and garner his version of events. (Note: The Troy Police Department does not recommend this teaching method for new drivers.)
Villa Park, 9/1, 3:40 PM. A 15-year-old girl was confronted by a 16-year-old boy who accused her of “talking about him.” He slapped her, resulting in a slight bloody nose. The boy was located and told officers that the girl confronted him about his throwing items at her on the bus. He claimed she took a swing at him; he blocked the punch, then swung back fearing additional strikes from complainant. Both sets of parents were appraised of the incident.
Sandalwood, 9/6, 7:35 pm. A 56-year-old male confronted a 21-year-old male, whom he suspected of stealing a jersey from his residence, as well as calling his daughter vulgar names. When the 21 year old refused to apologize for the name calling, reinforcing his opinion of suspect’s daughter, suspect punched him in the face. The victim allowed officers to search for the stolen jersey with negative results. The 56 year old was arrested.
Stolen Automobiles
Tennyson, 8/31-9/1, 10:30 PM –1:00 AM. A 2001 Chevy S10 Pickup was stolen from the street in front of residence. The vehicle was for sale and the owner received an inquiry on it during which he provided directions to the caller, however that individual didn’t show up for his appointment.
Kirts, 8/31-9/1, 2200-1100 hrs. A 2003 and a 2004 Honda motorcycle were stolen from parking lots.
Berwyck, 9/1-9/2, 11:45 pm – 1:30 am. A 2005 Chevy Cobalt was discovered stolen from in front of the house. Utica PD arrested a 19 year old from Rochester who was driving the vehicle on a suspended license. The 19 year old is a friend of the owner’s son, and it appears that the son left a spare set of keys in the vehicle. The suspect’s car was located parked down the street from owner’s house.
Beaver Run, 9/5. A resident found the driver side door lock pried on his 2005 Dodge Durango.
Horn Corporation, 1263 Rochester, 9/7-9/8, 10:45 pm – 6:00 am. A 37-year-old male employee from Madison Heights is suspected of taking the company’s 2000 Dodge Caravan, as well as a Dodge Ram pickup. It appears he drove off in the minivan, then later returned riding a bike and took the pickup. He returned the pickup later, crashing it into a Jaguar that was parked in the lot when he did. He left a note, indicating the van was at a 7-11 on Campbell near Gardenia in Royal Oak. The note indicates he got into a fight there and lost the keys. The van was recovered at the store. Investigation continues.
Retail Crimes (Retail Fraud, Embezzlements, etc.)
Steve and Barry’s, 412 W. 14 Mile, 9/1. 59 year old male from Detroit arrested after stealing $174.50 worth of merchandise. A small amount of cocaine was found in his possession for which he was also charged.
Foot Locker, 412 W. 14 Mile, 6/23-8/28, LPO reported discovering 36 year old male store manager from Hazel Park was conducting fraudulent returns and taking the money himself. When confronted, he gave her the keys and stated he quit. Total: $2974.00. Prosecution is pending.
Cingular Wireless, 810 W. 14 Mile, 6/22-6/23, Manager reported that cash believed placed in deposit bags and TOT transport company was never deposited into company’s account. Unknown if discrepancy is internal, or occurred after transport.
7-11, 5020 John R, 9/3, 3:10 am. A white male, 20 years old, 5’6, 140, wearing a gray button shirt and a black ball cap, removed a 12 pack of beer from the cooler, exited the store without attempting payment. He entered a gray Pontiac that was waiting on the south side of the store driven by another person. The vehicle fled E/B on Long Lake.
JC Penney, 700 W. 14 Mile, 9/6, 7:45 pm. Loss Prevention Officers observed two females and two males together in the store. The 17-year-old female from Warren stole $136.98 worth of merchandise, concealing it in her purse and a shopping bag she was carrying. When the LPO approached her when she left the store, her 18-year-old boyfriend from Warren assaulted the LPO, placing him in a headlock while the female broke free and fled. She dropped her purse and shopping bag, which her 15-year-old sister picked up and fled with in the company of another 18-year-old male from Warren, also part of the group. The LPO broke loose from the boyfriend, and caught up with the female outside. She again struggled against his attempt to detain her, grabbing and squeezing his genitals. Her boyfriend arrived and began threatening the LPO, however the LPO was able to gain control and escort her to the LPO office. Responding Troy Officers located the other pair in the parking lot. The 15 year old was in possession of her sister’s purse, which contained the stolen merchandise, along with additional merchandise suspected of being stolen. The sisters were arrested for retail fraud, and assault. Charges are pending for assault and aiding and abetting against the 18 year old male who assaulted the LPO and assisted with his girlfriend’s initial escape.
Kohl’s, 500 John R, 9/8, 3:20 pm. A 1997 Dodge Dakota, occupied by three white males, pulled up to west doors and dropped one suspect off. He entered store and stole a $349.99 set of pans, and walked out the north doors where the pickup was waiting for him. The vehicle, which registers to a male from Warren, fled the scene.
Trainers Academy – Yuppy Puppy, 1016 Troy Court, 1/03-8/05. The business owner suspects their former accountant, a 44 year old female from Auburn Hills, of several thousand dollars of fraudulent activity, including issuing herself and cashing business checks, issuing herself extra paychecks, and making personal purchases and paying personal bills from the company’s account. She is believed to be in possession of the company’s van, as well. Investigation continues.
Suspicious People and Incidents
Jaycee Park, 9/1, 3:30 PM. An 11-year-old girl reported that as she walked across the parking lot of Jaycee Park, she observed a white male in his 20’s with a leg out of his parked white car. As she walked past, she felt that the man attempted to follow her briefly. She continued through the lot without looking back and without incident. The park was checked by a neighbor, who obtained a license plate from what she believed was the suspect vehicle. It was gone when officers arrived. It registers to a 2 door ’04 Chevy Cavalier to a 26-year-old male from Portage, MI.
Fedora, 9/2, 1200 pm –7:00 pm. Someone placed a plastic bag containing gasoline and feces in complainant’s mailbox. No damage.
Vandalisms
Fernleigh St. and Forsyth St., 9/3-9/4, 1100 pm –6:00 am. Two mailboxes and a no parking sign were damaged.
Strategic Title, 700 Tower, 9/5, 8:00 am –12:20 pm. An exterior office window was broken by unknown means.
Automate, 1906 Brinston, 9/6, 12:45 pm –3:50 pm. A large rock was thrown through the rear window of a 1998 Chevy pickup parked in rear lot.
Alcohol and Drug Offenses
John R and Maple, 9/1, 5:07 PM. Three separate cell callers reported ’94 Mercedes all over the roadway. An ambulance driver also observed erratic driving, and followed vehicle as it pulled into a parking lot in the industrial subdivision west of John R. When officers approached, the 42-year-old male from Clarkston was slumped over the wheel w/the engine running. He was extremely intoxicated, barely able to talk, and unable to walk without assistance. He admitted consuming almost a full pint of Vodka. He was arrested, and blew .34 on a breath test.
S/B I-75 near 14 Mile, 9/4, 4:40 pm. A 1993 Saturn was stopped for driving with an altered and improper plate; plate was supposed to be on a Cadillac and the formerly white expiration tab had been colored yellow to appear current. The driver provided an old license which when queried via the computer indicated that it had been obtained fraudulently. The 52-year-old female driver from Orion was eventually identified. She was arrested for driving on a revoked license. A small amount of cocaine, as well as several prescription medications that she was illegally possessing, including Oxycontin, Morphine, and Methadone were located in the vehicle and her purse. She was charged with Driver License violations and drug offenses.
14 Mile and John R, 9/4, 4:32 pm. Officers stopped a 1992 Ford Crown Victoria for an expired plate. The driver initially provided incorrect information regarding his true identity, however he was eventually identified and three warrants were discovered for his arrest from other jurisdictions. 3.4 grams of marijuana were located in his pocket. The 26-year-old male driver from Detroit was arrested.
Big Beaver and Wrenwood, 9/2, 5:16 pm. Officers located and stopped a motorcycle in response to cell phone report that the female passenger was passing an open beer to the male driver. Upon being stopped, the 49-year-old female passenger from Warren tried to hide a brown bag containing the open beer beneath her. It spilled out of the bag and ran all over the bike. She and the 52 year old male driver from Detroit were cited for open intoxicants and released after it was determined the driver was not under the influence.
Wright and Fabius, 9/5, 2:00 am. Officers responded to report of a crash where the driver fled on foot. The wallet of a 19-year-old male from Troy was found inside the car, which registered to his address on Wright. Officers went there and found a 20-year-old male from Rochester Hills attempting to enter the residence, and another 20 year old male from Rochester Hills locked in the bathroom, vomiting. One blew a .19 on a preliminary breath test, the other .08. Both were cited for Minors Consuming Alcohol. Neither would tell the location of the missing driver. A female who identified herself as the girlfriend of the driver was found hiding under the bed. She claimed she was sleeping, and didn’t know where he was. She called driver’s mother, the homeowner, who indicated that her son was not injured, but would not be returning to residence that night. She would not provide his location. Investigation continues.
Drury Inn, 575 W. Big Beaver, 9/5, 12:28 pm. Management discovered evidence of narcotics use in one of the rooms. Officers made contact with the occupants and discovered a small quantity of heroin and cocaine, as well as associated paraphernalia linked to their use. Arrested were a 33-year-old female from Detroit, a 32-year-old male from Auburn Hills, and a 32-year-old male from West Bloomfield.
Phone Calls / Harassment / Threats
A business representative reported that an employee walked off the job without saying anything, and has not returned. The former employee has since made two threatening calls to him.
A resident on Westaway reported that a resident of South Blvd. approached him and invited him to follow him across the street if he wanted to fight. The caller did not do so, and reported that the subject has been engaging him in similar, harassing behavior in the recent past.
A resident has been receiving telephone threats at work from a male suspect currently residing in Florida.
A resident reported receiving phone threats from an ex-boyfriend.
A resident reported hiring a contractor to fix her garage door. When he showed up late, she declined his service. He left upset about wasted fuel. A female called from the company and, during the conversation, swore at resident, and advised her to be careful in case one of the tires came off her car. The same female called again telling the resident that she was sending her the bill and would take her to court if she didn’t pay it. The resident sent the company $10.00 for their “wasted gas.”
Miscellaneous Incidents
Auburn Hills PD contacted Troy PD and reported they had a victim following a Nissan Xterra SE being driven by a female who brandished what appeared to be a black 9mm handgun during the course of a traffic altercation that occurred in their town. Troy Officers located the vehicle in question and stopped it on Big Beaver near John R. A black pellet gun was located just under the driver’s seat. It resembled a 9mm handgun. The 44-year-old female driver from Burtan, MI admitted involvement in the altercation, but denied brandishing the pellet gun, claiming she was holding a grip strengthener. She was unable to explain how the complainant was able to provide an exact description of the gun, if in fact she had not held it in view. Auburn Hills PO arrived on scene and the case was turned over to them.
Burtman, 9/2, 2:15 am. A 28-year-old female from Royal Oak claimed that her 42-year-old female friend from Troy accused her of stealing a gift card, then pushed her down and slapped her after she denied taking it. The 42 year old claims that the complainant got angry at her when she refused to let her take her car to buy heroin. She stated she has been allowing complainant to stay at her house the last couple days, but told her to leave after the argument over the drugs. She stated there was never a physical confrontation. Officers assisted the complainant to collect her property and transported her to Royal Oak.
A 62-year-old male suffering from Alzheimer’s wandered from his home and showed up at neighbor’s door. Officers took him home and contacted his son who responded to the scene. He advised he’d be seeking alternative arrangements for his father’s care.
Troy High, 4777 Northfield, 9/4, 10:43 pm. A citizen reported a 2003 Ford Focus and a 2001 Honda CRV doing donuts on the baseball field. Officers located the cars, parked on a nearby residential street, with two males fleeing on foot. Officers watched and waited from a distance. Eventually the two male drivers returned and were detained. Both were 16 years old, from Troy. There was no damage to the fields. Both drivers admitted to the driving. They were transported home and turned over to their parents. The Juvenile Officers will follow-up on possible driving charges and other sanctions.
A resident on John R located an elderly male in front of his house. The subject was confused and could not provide identifying information. He was transported to Troy Beaumont hospital. His daughter contacted the hospital because he had walked away from home.
Arrest Summary
Livernois and Maple, 9/5, 9:45 pm. A witness reported a male and female arguing in a parking lot, with the male brandishing a large hunting knife at the female. Clawson officers located the subjects in a vehicle and stopped them. A large unsheathed hunting knife was recovered from the waistband of the 55-year-old male from Clawson. Both he and his 51-year-old female passenger denied any domestic assault; both denied any brandishing of the knife occurred. The male claimed he carried the knife for protection in case he had any trouble with anyone. He was arrested. The female was also arrested on an outstanding warrant from another jurisdiction.
N/B I-75 north of Big Beaver, 9/3, 10:08 pm. An officer driving an unmarked car observed a 2005 Cadillac STS approaching from behind at high speed. As the Cadillac approached other cars in front of it, the driver would flash the bright lights to get them to move out of his way. He did this to the unmarked police car then accelerated northbound at speeds exceeding 110 mph. The vehicle was stopped. The 63-year-old male driver from Rochester Hills failed sobriety tests and was arrested. He blew .08 on a breath test.
S/B I-75 and Long Lake, 9/3, 10:05 pm. An officer observed a 2005 Chevy Monte Carlo driving on the right shoulder at approximately 70 mph. The vehicle fishtailed at one point, nearly loosing control. It veered back onto the roadway just before colliding with vehicles stopped on the right shoulder at the scene of a traffic stop. The vehicle was stopped. The driver claimed he drove onto the shoulder to avoid a crash with the vehicle in front of him that suddenly slowed down. The 23-year-old male driver from Belleville failed sobriety tests and was arrested. He blew .14 on a breath test.
Maple and Coolidge, 9/3, 12:37 am. A cell phone caller reported a 2002 Chevy Malibu driving erratically. Officer located and stopped it. The driver claimed not to have his license with him, and verbally identified himself with information that turned out to be false. After failing sobriety tests and being advised he was under arrest, he pulled away from officers and fled on foot into a nearby residential area. Other officers responding to the incident located and arrested him. A 20-year-old female passenger from Royal Oak blew .05 on a PBT and she was cited for Minor Consuming Alcohol. There was a 21-year-old male passenger from Royal Oak in the rear seat. Two bottles of beer and a bottle of Vodka were recovered from the vehicle. The passengers were released on the scene; the alcohol was confiscated. The 20-year-old male driver from Detroit was positively identified. He blew .12 on a breath test. He was charged with drunk driving, providing false identification to police, resisting arrest, and driving on a suspended license.
Rochester and Long Lake, 9/4, 3:42 am. An officer was stopped at a red light N/B on Rochester at Long Lake when he observed a 2001 Jaguar approaching directly behind him in the same lane at a high rate of speed. It appeared the jaguar was going to crash into the rear of the fully marked patrol car, however the Jaguar made a sudden lane change, veering around the police car, then proceeding through the solid red light. The Jaguar was traveling at approximately 80 mph. It was stopped. The driver claimed he had been drinking at a bar in Detroit and was upset after an argument with his girlfriend. He was alone in the car. The 24-year-old male from Troy failed sobriety tests and was arrested. He blew .15 on a breath test.
Northfield Hilton, 5500 Crooks, 9/4, 1:00 am – 4:30 am. Officers were called to assist security personal at the hotel with a disturbance involving a large number of attendees at a function being hosted on the site. Officers and Security cleared the ballroom. Three arrests were made in connection with the incident. A fight involving a 19-year-old male from Chicago and a 20-year-old male from Sterling Heights broke out in the lobby wherein the 19 year old allegedly broke a bottle over the 20-year-old’s head. The 19 year old and his associates fled on foot when officers arrived in the area. The 20 year old had a cut in his head, and was bleeding. Officers pursued the 19 year old and eventually caught and arrested him. Upon return to the lobby, they found the 20 year old had left and could not be located. The 19 year old was booked and released pending further investigation. A 23-year-old male from Macomb Twp. was arrested after he and his associates reportedly entered the room of a 19-year-old male from Scarborough, Ontario threatened him, and the 23 year old threw a beer bottle at him. The victim escaped through an open window. A 21-year-old male from Rochelle Park, New Jersey was arrested for trespassing after hotel management evicted him for causing a disturbance and returned in spite of being warned by officers that if he did he’d be arrested.
In addition to those outlined above, the following arrests were also made during the period:
Domestic Assault: 2
Drunk Driving: 7
Disorderly Conduct: 1
Possess Marijuana: 1
Retail Fraud: 2
Drove While License Suspended: 13
Warrants: 5
Volunteers and Contributions Needed for Hurricane Katrina
Volunteers are needed due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. If you would like to assist in the disaster relief and recovery efforts or make a contribution, please contact any of the following agencies for more information.
American Red Cross
1-866 GET INFO and 1-880 HELP NOW
American Red Cross
USA Freedom Corp
Salvation Army
1-800 SAL ARMY
http://www.salvationarmy.org/
Charity Navigator Organization
List of 4600 charities
1-201 818-1288
www.charitynavigator.org
FEMA
www.fema.gov
Alabama Governor's Emergency Relief Fund
www.servealabama.gov
1-877-273-5018
Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
www.louisianahelp.org
1-877-HELPLA1
Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund
www.mississippirecovery.com
1-866-230-8903
Lutheran World Relief
http://www.lwr.org/
Baptist World Alliance
http://www.bwanet.org/bwaid
Catholic Charities USA Disaster Relief
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints Emergency Response
1-801-422-3945 or 1-801-240-7688
http://lds.org/
Crime Prevention Tips
Fraud Prevention
- Neither the Troy Police Department nor the labor unions that represent your Police Officers participate in telephone solicitation. If an organization tells you that they represent “the police officers in Troy”, they are not being honest.
- Remember that nothing that is worth anything is free.
- If someone that you do not know offers to do you a favor, they probably have an ulterior motive.
- Never give any personal information out to an unknown source over the phone or Internet.
(If someone asks for personal information, ask to speak to his or her supervisor and inform him or her you will be calling the Police to make a fraud report.)
No reputable business will call you or email you for this information!!!
- If you receive a phone call or email telling you that you have won something that you did not apply for, it is more than likely a fraud.
- No legitimate organization will not ask for any money or a Credit Card number in order to claim a prize
- Protect yourself against identity theft by shredding all documents and safe guarding your account numbers, social security numbers and credit card numbers.
- Always maintain your credit cards and secure the credit card numbers.
- If you suspect that you have been the victim of credit fraud, call your credit card company and have them run a query of your charges.
- Never give your bank account numbers over the phone. Especially if unsolicited!
Identity theft continues to be the fastest growing crime in the world, and the city of Troy is no exception. We continually get reports of identity theft and fraud on a regular basis.
While it may not be totally avoidable, detecting the early signs of identity theft is one of the best ways to avoid extensive losses and damage to your credit history.
If your wallet/purse etc. gets stolen, cancel all stolen credit and ATM cards immediately.
Checking your credit history regularly is a great way to keep appraised on the status of your credit.
Here are three sources for checking your credit history:
(The titles are links to the webpages)
Equifax
1-800-525-6282
Experian
1-888-397-3742
TransUnion
1-800-680-7289
Home Invasion / B&E Prevention
Always secure your doors and windows.
- Garages and door walls are targets for thieves.
- Always ensure your garage door and pedestrian doors are secured.
- Do not leave garage door remote controls in cars not parked in the garage.
- Use 1 ½’’ dowel rod in the track of all sliding glass windows and doors to help prevent them from opening.
- It has been proven time and time again that the proper use and application of physical security will stop a would-be burglar.
- Burglary alarms are only as reliable as the person setting them. If you have an alarm, make sure that every resident or employee knows how to activate and deactivate it, as well as the security code.
Larcenies from Autos /
Car Theft Prevention
Things that can be done to combat auto theft and larcenies from autos include:
- Installing a car alarm.
- Using steering-wheel locking applications like the club etc.
- Applications of a hidden kill switch to the ignition system.
- Park in a well lit well traveled area if possible.
- Always maintain security of vehicle keys.
- Do not leave anything of value in your vehicle in plain view.
- Always lock your vehicle doors.
- Never leave a vehicle unattended while running.
- There is a trend of things being stolen from vehicles in the parking lots of fitness centers and fun centers. While going to these places, be extra careful to remove all items of value and secure your vehicle.
Assault Prevention
Don’t let someone else’s driving cause you to lose your temper. If someone says or does something to you to make you angry, stop and allow yourself to calm down before taking any action. All too often, people react to a driver cutting them off or a rude neighbor by sinking to their level and getting involved in a physical confrontation. A better course of action is to allow the other driver to merge and provide a safe cushion zone between the cars. If you feel yourself being antagonized, call the police and let us help to settle the matter in a calm, legal, and non-violent way.
Retail Fraud Prevention
All store personnel should be trained on the store policy that deals with retail fraud (shoplifting) and how the company wants them to respond.
Store personnel should have the phone numbers to call readily available if they suspect retail fraud or any other crime.
A lone employee should not try to apprehend retail fraud suspects themselves. Call your Mall Security or the Troy Police Dispatch Center at 248-524-3477 for in-progress crimes or assistance apprehending fleeing criminal suspects.
Surveillance video has shown that cameras that are obvious to criminals are a good deterrent to crime. Criminals can be seen trying to hide from the camera, or dropping the merchandise they tried to steal when they spotted the camera.
The Troy Police offers training to store personnel on theft prevention and detection, fraud, and other retail-related crimes. Contact the Retail Liaison at 248-680-7224 for more information.
Vandalism Prevention
The best way to protect yourself from this crime, or from being held financially responsible for the acts of your kids, is to know where your children are, what they are doing, and whom their friends are. Kids are very tech-savvy, and use the latest means to communicate. We have had numerous cases where middle and high-school aged kids have made clandestine plans using their home computer and instant-messaging programs (AIM, Yahoo Messenger, etc.) to communicate with their friends, unbeknownst to their parents (no phones ringing in the middle of the night.) They sneak out of the house and meet up to go and commit all sorts of crimes. This is not only illegal, but it is very dangerous.
- Talk with your kids and encourage them to tell you about any problems with other kids.
- Monitor your child’s instant messages.
- Don’t put computers with Internet access in their bedrooms.
- Lock the doors to the house and set alarms when you go to bed.
- Make a habit of checking on the kids, no matter what age, in the middle of the night, just to make sure they are where they are supposed to be (especially when hosting sleepovers.) Let them know that you are checking.
- Check your vehicles for new damage or signs of being involved in vandalism - Mud on tires or wheel-wells, baseball bats with gouges or glass in them, egg cartons, knives or other sharp objects that are out of place in a car, cans of spray paint or shaving cream (yes shaving cream and eggs damage paint.)
If you suspect that your kids have been out vandalizing property, or committing any other crimes, you can contact the Police Department Juvenile Unit, or Troy Youth Assistance for advice.
Juvenile Unit – 248-524-3451
Youth Assistance - 248-823-5095
General
If you witness a crime:
- get involved
- call the police
Suspicious Incidents / People
If it appears that someone is up to no-good, they probably are. Call the Police immediately. We are trained to investigate suspicious circumstances and determine if criminal activity is afoot.
The best security system that you can have is a “Nosy Neighbor.” Encourage your neighbors to be “Nosy,” especially if there is strange activity around your property. Return the favor by keeping a watchful eye on their property and reporting it immediately. This is the basis for the Neighborhood Watch program.
If someone or something seems “suspicious” to you or makes you feel uncomfortable, there is probably good reason for it. Don’t get into the habit of second-guessing your intuition and instinct.
Sexual predators are usually progressive, starting out with public exposure and leading to more risky and dangerous behaviors. You can check the state of Michigan registered sex offenders list at www.mipsor.state.mi.us for offenders that live in your area.
Alcohol / Drugs
The Graduation season brings celebrations, parties and alcohol consumption. Unfortunately we also see an increase in drunk driving.
Be responsible, if you drink, DO NOT DRIVE!
If you serve alcohol, make sure that your guests make it home safely.
Don’t serve alcohol to underaged children
We all must share the roads, don’t risk the lives of others or yourself. It is not a good idea to mix Alcohol with other activities like boating or swimming. If you drink, do it in moderation and don’t drive or put yourself and other at risk.
- DO NOT use illegal drugs
- DO NOT drive and endanger the lives of everyone if you have consumed alcohol or drugs.
- If you are under 21 years of age, IT IS ILLEGAL to consume or possess alcohol.
If you have any information on illegal drug activity call our tip line at 248-524-0777.
