Thanks to a tip and the quick work of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Auto Theft Division, a 20-year-old Pontiac man was arrested in connection with a stolen vehicle in Addison Twp.
The case began on Feb. 4 when Hidden Lakes Estates Manufactured Home Community Park Manager Mike Chandler reported that an unknown subject had attempted to enter a park maintenance vehicle sometime between 9 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. According to Chandler, the 1997 Ford pickup was parked by the community entrance near the laundromat.
Later that same day, a Hidden Lakes Estates resident reported her 1989 Buick Century stolen. The young woman informed deputies that she parked the vehicle in front of her home after returning from work around 1 a.m. and found the car missing when she went out earlier in the day, around one in the afternoon.
Officers spoke with individuals at the woman’s home and learned through an informant that a 20-year-old Pontiac man was a possible suspect. Addison Twp. deputies contacted the Auto Theft Division with the name Michael Wheeler, and learned that the individual already had outstanding warrants for home invasion and auto theft.
Addison Township Substation Commander Sgt. Pete Burkett said that officials with the Auto Theft Division located Wheeler’s address, and upon arriving at the home, found the Addison Twp. woman’s car. Wheeler was located inside of the home and arrested on his outstanding warrants.
“The turn around on this case was about nine hours total,” said Burkett. “This was wrapped up quickly thanks to the good information.”
To date, Wheeler has been charged with receiving and concealing stolen property in relation to the stolen car. Further charges are pending in relation to both the stolen vehicle and the attempted theft of the park maintenance truck.