Tips from neighbors led to the arrest of a suspected burglar, linked to thefts from vehicles and homes across Independence Township.
Joshua Alen Yennior, 21, of Independence was booked on Aug. 14 and arraigned on three counts of possession of stolen credit cards, each a four-year felony.
“A home owner happened to go down to close his car windows because it was raining and he saw mail inside his (the suspect’s) car,” said Oakland County Sheriff’s Detective Michael Winkler.
Another tipster reported seeing credit cards and other items not belonging to the suspect, in Yennior’s room, Winkler added.
The tips led to a search warrant last Monday.
“We recovered five stolen credit cards,” he said.
Other recovered items include a check book in a pink patterned cover, a stolen pocket knife, 60 thong panties, and girls? bathing suits.
“People would hang them out on a clothesline and he’d take just the bottoms,” he said. “It’s disturbing ? they’re little kids’.”
Investigation has linked Yennior to thefts from vehicles and mail boxes, and some breaking-and-enterings in the Thendara subdivision, northeast corner of Independence Township, over the last few months, Winkler said.
The suspect may also be linked to thefts and burglaries in Bridgewater and Lancasterlake areas of the township.
“We’re still looking into it to see what we can tie to this guy.” Winkler said. “LFAs have been pretty much become null and void ? we’re pretty confident we have the right crew.”
According to interviews with the suspect, his alleged MO was to head out at about 11 p.m. dressed in dark clothes, carrying a large backpack, and steal from cars and residences.
When he was done, he would steal a bicycle to get home.
“He started with unlocked cars and escalated to breaking into cars,” Winkler said.
He wouldn’t kick in front doors or go in back windows, though, he told detectives. He’d then sell the items to fund his heroin addiction, Winkler said.
Yennior was released, Aug. 16, on $2,500 bond, no 10 percent, on a GPS tether.
Preliminary Exam is set for Aug. 27 in 52-2 District Court.
To avoid being victimized by thieves, Winkler recommends keeping vehicle and residential doors and windows locked, and no valuables in plain sight in vehicles.
“Keep the GPS off the dash,” he said. “If you see a kid out on a bike at two in the morning, anything out of the ordinary, call local law enforcement. Information never hurts.”
The non-emergency number for Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is 248-858-4911. Call Independence Township substation at 248-620-4970.