Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh credits good citizen action and solid police work in the arrest of a Lake Orion man last week.
Police arrested 24-year-old Steven Halat on May 21 in conjunction with a car theft in Lake Orion.
According to Narsh, the department received a call last Wednesday from the manager at the Lakeshore Motel, where Halat recently became a resident, reporting her Hyundai stolen. It was believed to have been taken sometime between 10:30 p.m. the previous night and 7:30 a.m. that morning.
Meanwhile, Narsh said the police received a call from Muffler Man at approximately 4:15 p.m., reporting a suspicious individual. A man, driving a Plymouth, pulled in the lot behind the business, which the manager, Tim English, took note of as odd, prompting him to keep an eye on the individual.
According to Narsh, the subject walked into the bay area where the cars are worked on, and upon being questioned about his prescence, left on foot to south on M-24. He returned 15 minutes later, and the manager observed him heading to the back lot, but not to the vehicle he had arrived in.
English observed the man climb into an unlocked customer’s vehicle and begin looking around for car keys. He approached the vehicle, threw the man out of the car and the lot, and called 911.
Police responded, but in the meantime, Narsh explained, the department started getting several 911 calls from motorists about a man attempting to get into vehicles about one block south of Muffler Man. Police arrived and took Halat into custody, who admitted to be under the influence of several narcotics.
Upon searching and questioning Halat, Officers Presnell and Barker discovered that the Plymouth Halat had driven into the Muffler Man lot was recently reported stolen from Hazel Park, from a gas station in the area of 9 Mile and I-75. The officers also discovered a quarter-ounce of marijuana and keys to the Hyundai reported stolen earlier that day.
According to Narsh, Halat admitted to taking the Hyundai and ‘dropping it somewhere in Detroit,? although he gave officers several different versions of where he left the vehicle, which was impounded the next day in Hazel Park, approximately two blocks from 9 Mile and I-75.
Halat was arraigned last week at 52-3 District Court on a felony charge of Unlawfully Driving Away an Automobile (UDAA), as well as one count of possession of marijuana.
According to Narsh, once the Lake Orion Police are done with Halat, Hazel Park will also be seeking charges for UDAA of the Plymouth.
Halat is being held in Oakland County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Narsh credited the arrest and recovery of stolen property on the alertness of Muffler Man manager Tim English, as well as the 911 calls from motorists.
‘We appreciate those tips,? he said. ‘It’s those type of tips that solve crime and recover property.?
‘I encourage citizens to be aware of their surroundings and their neighborhoods, and if they see anything unusual, to contact us,? Narsh added. ‘That’s what we are here for.?
The Lake Orion Police Department can be reached at (248)693-8321.