Articles Posted in Theft and Property Crimes

Tonya D. Sieversten, a 36-year-old Orion Township resident, was arraigned on September 10th on two counts of home invasion. Oakland County Sheriff’s investigators believe she may be responsible for many other home invasions which haven taken place recently in Independence and Orion Townships, as well as Rochester Hills.

Police claim in news reports that Sieversten has confessed to 7 incidents, but believe she may be connected to three others. Alleged victims keep coming forward to identify property stolen from their homes, according to Lt. Dan Toth, Oakland County Orion Township Substation Commander. Toth said that about half of the recovered property has been identified with the 10 crimes the department knows about, and that so far this year home invasions in Orion Township are up about 200%, believed to be largely due to Sieversten.

News reports stated that sheriff’s officials believe the suspect will be connected to other home invasions because of the large amount of stolen property they have recovered from her vehicle, home and a rented storage unit.

On September 7, deputies were investigating an alleged home invasion when they identified a possible suspect. Upon stopping Sieversten’s vehicle, they discovered valuables which included jewelry. It was after this discovery that Sheriff’s Department deputies found property at the rented storage unit and the suspect’s home.

Sieversten is now lodged at the Oakland County Jail according to news reports. A $25,000 cash bond was set by a 52-3 District Court Magistrate following Sieversten’s arraignment.

Michigan home invasion attorneys understand that individuals who are convicted on charges of home invasion, breaking and entering, robbery and other theft/property crimes may face serious and life-altering penalties. Depending on the circumstances and whether the accused is charged with first, second, or third degree home invasion, he or she may face fines of up to $5,000 and as many as 20 years in prison.

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According to Detroit police, an attempted robbery and a separate burglary ended in the death of 1 suspect and 3 other suspects suffering injuries. In the first incident, a man was leaving a northwest Detroit gas station when two men attempted to rob him. The 41-year-old intended victim struggled with his assailants, then shot at them. Police say the man who shot at the suspects did have a concealed pistol license. One of the men, a 20-year-old, was shot in the chest by the intended robbery victim; the other suspect ran away. The incident took place at a Sunoco Gas stations near Hubbell and Joy Roads.

On Friday morning, four men broke in to a shop on Detroit’s west side. The 51-year-old owner of the store shot three of the four men, one of which died. Two others were wounded, and a fourth man was arrested after he was found hiding inside the store.

Michigan criminal defense attorneys realize the seriousness of both of these offenses. Both robbery and burglary can result in harsh penalties when an individual is convicted. Armed robbery is considered a very serious offense in Michigan. In fact, the minimum prison sentence for anyone convicted on charges of armed robbery is two years. When an individual is found guilty of stealing property or money using violence, force or fear against any individual who is present during the commission of the crime or even fleeing the scene may be subject to as many as 15 years behind bars.

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Early on Wednesday August 29th, a Parts Plus Auto Store located at 3023 N. East Street was the scene of a burglary which took place around 3 a.m. According to Capt. Daryl Green of the Lansing Police Department, officers were dispatched after the alarm was activated at the store. When they arrived at the store, the front glass entrance door was shattered. The business owner believes that the suspect threw a brick through the glass front door to gain access to the store, according to news reports.

Police also found flames shooting from a semi-trailer parked on the north side of the Parts Plus store upon their arrival, and called in the Lansing Fire Department according to Green. The blaze was quickly extinguished, but arson is suspected and police will continue to investigate.

After inspection of the store, police called a representative in to determine what property had been taken. The business owner did believe that an undisclosed amount of money had been stolen from the cash register, but did not believe other merchandise had been taken.

The semi-trailer which was on fire belonged to Campus Cars Auto Sales, a business located next door to the Parts Plus Store. It was uncertain at the time of the burglary whether the two crimes were related.

Eyewitnesses who were in the area at the time of the burglary reported to police that they saw someone who was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and light colored pants leave the area prior to the arrival of police. They said the person left the area on a bicycle. Anyone with further information about the crime are being asked to call the Crime Stoppers line at 517-483-STOP.

Michigan criminal defense lawyers know the seriousness of crimes such as burglary and arson, and how a conviction can negatively impact an individual’s life. A criminal record will make obtaining employment difficult; no one wants to live his or her life in prison. While it is not yet known if one individual committed both of these crimes, he or she could be facing serious penalties if found guilty for either offense, or both.

In this situation it may have been malicious arson, an offense that brings severe penalties to those convicted regardless of whether the intention was to harm others. Perhaps in the coming days we will learn the identity of the burglary suspect, and if that individual will also be charged with arson.

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Last week, three beauty salons were robbed by what police believe to be the same two well-dressed men. In all, the robbers got away with about $1,800 belonging to clients who were patrons of the salons and stylists. One robbery took place on Tuesday in a Warren salon, one on Wednesday at an Oak Park salon, and one on Thursday at a St. Clair Shores salon. As of Friday the 17th, Oak Park Police were still looking for the alleged robbers, who were believed to be driving an older model GMC Yukon SUV during the commission of the first two robberies.

According to news reports, the salons were robbed at gunpoint. The two men were caught on video at one point, in the process of robbing a hair salon on 9 Mile and Geneva. In the video, one of the men is heard yelling “This is a stick up” once inside of the salon. One of the two men allegedly pulls out a gun at that point, and demands that employees and five customers who were in the salon to hand over their purses. A stylist at the salon told news reporters that she thought because the men robbed them wore no masks, they were all going to die.

Police suspect that the same two men are responsible for all of the armed robberies which took place last week.

Michigan criminal defense lawyers know that robbery is serious business, particularly armed robbery. Those convicted may serve substantial prison time, and be saddled with a criminal record for a lifetime. Even those who have not been arrested but are under investigation are urged to consult with an experienced, aggressive attorney right away. Armed robbery is a felony offense; whether you are guilty or innocent, is it crucial that you seek capable legal representation.

Those convicted of robbery may face up to 15 years in prison. However, when a weapon is used in the commission of the crime or it is even insinuated that a weapon is present, the accused may face life imprisonment according to Michigan’s Penal Code (750.529). At the very least, you will spend two years in prison if convicted.

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