They thought nobody was home.
Three suspects have been linked to at least five home invasions in northern Oakland County after they mistakenly broke into an occupied Independence Township home Friday, June 18.
Jamie Catherine Shallal, 42, Eugene Anthony Lince, 36, and Anthony Wynn Owens, 35, were in the Oakland County Jail on Monday after weekend arraignment in Oakland County Circuit Court.
While all are considered technically homeless, their last known addresses were in the Brandon-Oxford-Metamora area, reports said.
All face one count of first degree home invasion for the incident on Oakhill Road near Whipple Tree Lane. The felony charge carries a potential penalty of 20 years in prison. Also included in the charges is receiving and concealing stolen property after deputies reported finding numerous stolen items in the suspects? vehicle.
While other formal charges are pending, as of Monday Shallal also faced a charge of second degree home invasion (a potential 15-year felony charge) for an earlier incident on Iroquois Court, DeRosia said.
According to reports, the trio knocked on the door of the Oakhill Road home while the homeowner was sleeping and a caretaker was working elsewhere in the house. The caretaker did not open the door but was going to check with the homeowner when the suspects kicked in the door.
Apparently surprised at finding the home occupied, the suspects fled, but not before the caretaker got a description which helped deputies stop the vehicle on M-15 near Hubbard Road.
While involved with the suspects, other deputies were dispatched to the Iroquois residence and the team was able to confirm ownership of some of the items in the suspects? vehicle.
DeRosia said Monday the inventory has yet to be completed, but investigators found a great deal of suspected stolen merchandise, including clothing, CDs, jewelry, radar detectors and more.
Lince and Owens did not immediately agree to be interviewed by investigators, but reports said Shallal admitted to having a cocaine habit and developing a relationship with Owens.
In addition to the two Independence Township cases, DeRosia said the suspects? have been linked to incidents in Orion Township, Oakland Township and Auburn Hills. Those cases may be prosecuted separately.
Bond was set at $10,000 for Shallal, $75,000 for Lince and $100,000 for Owens, based on the suspects? past criminal records, DeRosia said. A future court date was not immediately available.
While this is the second team of suspected burglars to be apprehended in Independence Township in recent weeks, DeRosia said they do not appear to be linked to a previous series of home breakins in which burglars stole numerous personal papers, firearms and jewelry.