A little snow can’t stop the police. Actually, it can help them.
At approximately 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Village Police Officer Rob Barker responded to vehicle alarms in the area of Axford.
According to Police Chief Jerry Narsh, since it was snowing heavily, Officer Barker could tell that entrance to the car had been recently attempted and also found fresh footprints in the snow. Barker tracked the prints back to a residence, where he knocked on the door and was met by several young men.
‘Literally, as he’s following (the tracks), they’re filling in,? Narsh said.
Among the men at the residence was one individual the LOPD was quite familiar with, as they had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest from a December case involving larcenies from multiple vehicles.
Officer Barker was given consent to search the residence, where he recovered stolen property that was just being reported to the police station, Narsh said.
Tony Lee Atkins, 20, of Orion, was taken into custody on his outstanding felony warrant, and Saturday’s case is still under investigation.
The LOPD first became familiar with Atkins when their investigations of a rash of larcenies from vehicles in the Park Island area led them to his door.
Among the items reported stolen in the Dec. 20 event was a laptop (valued at $3,000) from one car, and ‘literally thousands of dollars? of property from several other cars, according to Narsh.
As a result of Officer Todd Stanfield’s investigation into the larcenies, the department received information that allowed them to obtain a search warrant to search a residence in the 400 block of South Broadway.
‘Our investigation lead us to Mr. Atkins, where we recovered the stolen property from the Park Island larceny,? Narsh said.
Charges were obtained against Atkins.
‘It’s a five-year felony,? Narsh said, ‘and a $10,000 fine or three times the value of the stolen property, whatever is greater.?
Once notified of the charges, Atkins ‘stayed? at a friend’s house, until discovered by Officer Barker on Saturday and taken into custody.
After appearing in front of Magistrate Melinda Balian, of 52/3 District Court, Atkins was taken to Oakland County jail where he was held on a $10,000 bond.
‘This is basic, by-the-book, outstanding police work,? Narsh said, noting that this is the second group of young males that have been arrested since December on charges of larcenies from vehicles.
‘The perpetrators admit to ‘car-hopping,?? he added, noting that ‘car-hopping? is the street term for going through unlocked cars to steal valuables.
According to Narsh, in the case of last month’s incidents, every car was unlocked.
‘This is a preventable crime, and we’d rather not have the crime,? he added. ‘It’s very rare that we’re able to recover stolen property. We were fortunate in this case.?
Narsh advises that everyone locks their doors and secures their valuables.
‘Take the small steps that can prevent you from becoming a victim,? he said, also noting that neighbors should look out for each other. ‘If you see something suspicious, call us. You’re not bothering us, that’s what we do.?
Narsh also encouraged any village residents that has had a larceny in the last month, whether they reported it or not, to contact the station at (248)693-8321.
‘We may have property that belongs to you,? he said.