Daniel Smith, 54, of Lake Orion could give classes on what not to do if you want to commit a crime.
Don’t leave a trail to allow police to follow you to your residence.
Don’t have an illegal substance clearly visible when you invite police into your place.
Smith’s troubles started in the late evening hours of June 4. Six motorcycle riders arrived in the village, parked on Front Street and visited a local bar for a short period of time.
According to police reports, the motorcyclists noticed, while they were parking, an individual who was sitting in a doorway of a nearby apartment building.
When the bikers came out of the bar, they saw that their bikes, five Harley-Davidsons and one Ducati were covered with pink paint.
‘Now, not knowing who or why, they noticed a recently painted pink door at the building where they had seen the individual when they arrived,? LO Police Chief Jerry Narsh.
‘One biker took some paint from a bike and went over to the door. It was a perfect match.?
Police were called to the scene. Officer Rob Barker saw drops of fresh paint from the bikes lead to the apartment door. He also got a description from the motorcyclist of the man in the doorway.
Barker knocked on the door and saw the person answering the door fit the description. While Barker was talking to Smith, he noticed fresh paint on his boots and drops of paint inside the apartment.
Smith denied any involvement with the motorcycles and didn’t have any problem when Barker asked to come into his apartment to look for a paint can.
During the search of the apartment, 19 large marijuana plants were found.
Smith was arrested and arraigned on June 6 at Rochester’s 52/3rd District Court on a $5,000 personal bond. He’s been charged with manufacturing marijuana (4-year felony and/or $20,000 find) and malicious damage (5-year felony and/or $10,000 fine).
According to Narsh, Smith confessed to the motorcycle damage during the arrest process.
‘He stated he was angry at the noise level of the arriving motorcycles,? he said. ‘He admitted it (putting paint on the bikes) was the wrong way to handle his anger. It was not one of Mr. Smith’s better days.?
Smith was also arraigned on an outstanding warrant from 1988.
Narsh said the motorcyclists were quite angry with Smith. ‘The officer had double duty, arresting the suspect and protecting him from the upset motorcycle enthusiasts. I’m glad they called the police and didn’t take the matter into their own hands,? Narsh added.