Articles Posted in Theft and Property Crimes

In recent weeks, a number of homes in the Ann Arbor area have been broken into; in fact, last Thursday there were reports of three home invasions in the city, resulting in the theft of a PlayStation, television and GPS. A laptop computer, shoes, and liquor were among other items stolen from the homes.

Lt. Renee Bush of the Ann Arbor Police Department reported that one of the break-ins took place between December 11 and December 20 at a home where two men live. When they arrived at the residence located in the 2300 block of Leslie Park Circle, they found the television, GPS, liquor and other items missing.

Another home invasion occurred on Thursday in the 3000 block of Stone School Road according to news reports, which stated this break-in took place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.. The 66-year-old woman who lived at the home told police that when she returned home, she found glass that had been broken out of a door, apparently with rocks. A laptop was the only item that was reportedly missing in this incident.

Thursday afternoon a home invasion was reported by a neighbor who told the woman who lived at the home that it had been broken into. According to Bush, the 40-year-old woman’s house had been ransacked after an intruder entered through the front door.

Reports of other attempted home invasions have been received by police as well in the Washtenaw Avenue area. After a woman who lives in the area reported that an individual was attempting to open doors on homes in her neighborhood, police arrested an Ypsilanti man, although it isn’t clear in news reports if all of the home invasions and attempted break-ins are related.

Michigan home invasion attorneys know that the penalties for those convicted on charges of home invasion are serious. Depending upon whether an individual is convicted for first-, second-, or third-degree home invasion (all felony offenses) the penalties range from up to 5 years in prison and $2,000 fines to up to 20 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

Continue reading

Lansing police are in search of two men who they allege attempted to pull off two armed robberies on Monday evening, December 17.

Robert Merritt, public information officer for Lansing police, told news reporters that at approximately 7 p.m. officers were dispatched to the Gray and South Holmes streets area where they spoke with two Lansing teenagers, a 16-year-old female and 17-year-old male. The teens, who were alleged victims in the incident, told police that two men approached them as they were walking in the area at around 6:45 p.m. According to the teens, one of the men demanded drugs and brandished a handgun, although the teens told police they did not have any drugs. The teenagers, who fled on foot, were not injured in the altercation.

The next alleged victim police spoke with was a 57-year-old Lansing man, who said that one of the two men who approached him at about 6:50 asked for a cigarette. One of the suspects then demanded money, and again brandished a weapon. The victim was struck over the head when he told the men he didn’t have any money. He was then kicked repeatedly after falling to the ground, according to Merritt. Nothing was stolen from the alleged victim, and he refused medical treatment for minor injuries inflicted to his head and body.

Police believe the suspects in both cases are the same men. Victims described the men as being approximately 6 feet tall, and between 16 and 18 years in age. The man brandishing the handgun was said to be stocky, and wore dark pants, a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, and ski mask. The second suspect was not wearing a mask, but said to have a thin build and light complexion.

Michigan criminal defense lawyers know that a charge of attempted armed robbery is serious, even when the weapon or gun used is a toy or BB gun. While an individual may face life in prison for armed robbery if convicted, the penalty for this lesser offense will depend on a number of factors, and whether a plea agreement can be negotiated.

Continue reading

Two Milford men, James Golding and Jason Weeks, have recently been arrested after they were observed breaking into a home in Milford Township by members of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office FAT (Fugitive Apprehension Team). Authorities suspect the duo is responsible of at least one other burglary.

A joint investigation between the Milford and White Lake Township Police Departments and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrests; each of the men were charged with receiving and concealing stolen property, and second-degree home invasion, both felony offenses. The men, who are both 38 years old, could spend up to 20 years in prison.

Investigators had learned that Golding and Weeks had been pawning substantial amounts of jewelry recently; members of FAT then set up surveillance to watch the two men, who they suspected had broken into a home in White Lake Township. The team then later observed Golding and Weeks commit home invasion in Milford Township. The two are currently being held at the Oakland County Jail. Bond was set at $25,000 each at the arraignment hearing.

Individuals who are arrested for breaking and entering must consult with an experienced Michigan home invasion lawyer right away. Defending someone against these types of charges under Michigan law is not easy; you must have an attorney who is capable of protecting your reputation and keeping you out of jail. Even when having charges dismissed is not an option, a competent lawyer will work to have the charge reduced and seek out alternative sentencing options that are less harsh.

Continue reading

In late October, three men were charged with home invasion after working with a Dexter, Michigan, man to break into numerous homes in Ann Arbor and Dexter in the months of July and August. Now, two of those men are facing at least 20 felony charges each in addition to the second-degree home invasion charges.

Jeffrey Aron Schuh, 20, and Quang Nguyen, 19, were both arraigned recently on two charges each of second-degree home invasion. According to records, Schuh now faces 20 additional felony charges relating to 9 cases; Nguyen faces 24 additional felony charges related to 10 cases. Steven Colwell of Dexter, Nguyen, Schuh and Schuh’s father, Jeffrey Arthur Schuh, all allegedly worked together to break into numerous homes in Dexter, Ann Arbor and other Washtenaw County areas.

News reports indicate that Nguyen and Jeffrey Aron Schuh allegedly broke into homes on six different occasions in July, and three in August. Nguyen and Schuh’s father broke into another home on July 26.

The two men now face multiple charges, and face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted. Nguyen is facing two charges each of safe breaking, stealing a financial transaction device, and first-degree home invasion along with 18 charges of second-degree home invasion. Jeffrey Aron Schuh faces identical charges with the exception of second-degree home invasion, in which he was charged with 16 counts.

Nguyen, Schuh and Schuh’s father are currently held at the Washtenaw County Jail, and are expected to return to court on November 8 for preliminary exams.

The 4-man home invasion ring fell apart when Colwell was arrested on August 9th and confessed to police about the home invasions which took place mostly in Ann Arbor and Dexter. Residents reported stolen belongings which included credit cards and jewelry.

Michigan home invasion lawyers know that breaking and entering is a serious offense that puts the accused at risk of facing severe punishment if convicted. This is a crime that under Michigan law is tough to defend, making it essential that you choose an aggressive, capable attorney.

Continue reading

On October 4th, a 31-year-old mother was injured as she was run over while trying to save her children from a carjacking. At about 8:45 Thursday morning, the woman and her two children had gotten into her 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee and were preparing to head to school when she realized she had forgotten something. She left the vehicle running as she went back inside the home; upon coming back out of the house, she witnessed two males which she described as “younger looking” getting inside her vehicle with her children.

As the alleged suspects began to drive off with the woman’s 7- and 8-year-old boys, she ran toward the vehicle screaming in an attempt to get them to stop, according to a release issued by Roseville police. The suspects did not listen to the pleading mother, and instead fled at a high rate of speed from the driveway. In the process, it is alleged that they struck the woman with the vehicle and subsequently ran over her legs in their efforts to get away.

Still in the woman’s vehicle, the suspects fled from the 26000 block of Collingwood Street to the 18000 block of Marquette Street. They lost control of the Jeep, striking a telephone pole. The suspects then jumped out of the vehicle according to police and fled on foot; the two boys jumped out of the vehicle and were not injured. Eyewitnesses told police that the suspects were picked up by a vehicle described as a dark-colored small SUV or minivan.

The woman was hospitalized and suffered head and leg injuries. On Friday morning following the carjacking, she was upgraded from critical to stable condition. A search continues for the suspects; Roseville police ask that witnesses call 586-447-4483.

Carjacking is a very serious criminal offense; Michigan carjacking attorneys know you may be charged with grand theft auto, joyriding or unlawfully driving away an automobile (UDAA). Even when no weapon is involved in the commission of the crime, you can face charges of carjacking. In the offense described above, the suspects could additionally face charges of kidnapping as well, which could ultimately mean life in prison and fines of as much as $50,000 if convicted.

Continue reading

On August 31, New Testament Assemblies Church in Lansing caught fire at around 5:30 p.m. The church, located in a residential area in the 100 block of Astor Avenue, is just south of McLaren Hospital. It took firefighters about an hour to extinguish the flames; the building was also filled with smoke and heat, causing the firefighters to have to vent the roof. Fire officials believe after investigating that the fire began in the rear of the church building on the floor. At that time, the cause of the fire was not known.

On September 18, news reports revealed that it had been determined that the cause of the fire was arson. Authorities believe the fire was intentionally set, and have identified a suspect according to Lansing Fire Marshal Brad Drury. The church suffered extensive damage, but no one was injured. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was working with the fire department to solve the crime, which has left the church burned out and boarded up.

Details regarding the individual suspected of committing the arson have not been released in order to avoid jeopardizing the criminal investigation. Stunned neighbors are happy that officials have a suspect in mind; one resident commented that the offense was unbelievable, and she questioned who on earth would do that to the Lord’s house.

Michigan criminal defense attorneys realize that arson is a serious criminal offense that some believe to be “harmless,” particularly if a small fire is set in order to get revenge. However, even a small fire can spread to enormous proportions, putting property and lives at risk. Those charged with and convicted on arson charges may face serious punishment.

Continue reading