Crime & Safety

Hearing Delayed for Man Charged in Home Invasion

Detroit man's preliminary exam Friday in Grosse Pointe Park court rescheduled for Sept. 21; the home invasion case has a habitual offender count that could carry a life sentence.

The preliminary exam for a Detroit man accused of forcing his way into a Maryland Street apartment and stealing several items, including the victim's car, has been rescheduled at his attorney's request.

The hearing scheduled for Friday afternoon in Court was adjourned after the attorney originally slated to represent Gregory C. Rivers, 58, failed to show up for court. Another public defender, Susan Dunn, was reassigned and appeared in court Friday.

Dunn asked for the exam to be rescheduled due to her just being assigned the case and not having time to prepare. Dunn emphasized the serious nature of the case, which involves a habitual offender count that could make any potential prison term a life sentence.

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Rivers is charged with carjacking, first-degree home invasion, unarmed robbery, unlawful imprisonment and unlawful driving away of a vehicle. Additionally, a fourth offense habitual offender charge is attached to the carjacking count. A Sex Offender Registration Act, or SORA, notice is also attached to the unlawful imprisonment count, which could result in Rivers having to be on the registry if convicted.

He is accused of breaking into an apartment in the 1400 block of Maryland Street Aug. 25 shortly before noon. Police said he confronted the resident with demands for money. He then stole cash, jewelry, a laptop computer and the woman's car, which he crashed into a telephone pole after responding officers spotted him and began following him. Rivers was arrested at the site of the crash and the stolen goods belonging to the Maryland Street woman were recovered from inside the car. 

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The victim was not allowed to leave her home, Detective David Loch said. He declined to comment about whether the victim was physically restrained in some manner but said there was no sexual element to the crimes. Imprisonment of a victim in any manner is a violation of SORA. 

Wayne County Prosecutor Gary Bresnehan did not object to rescheduling the preliminary exam but wanted it noted for the record that he was prepared to go forward with the hearing Friday. He noted that he understood why the request was being made by Dunn but also noted that the victim was present and prepared to testify. 

During a preliminary exam, a judge determines whether a case has sufficient evidence to proceed with the charges and testimony is necessary when the accused does not choose to waive the exam.

Rivers will return to Grosse Pointe Park court Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. and Judge Carl Jarboe continued his $250,000 bond requirement. Rivers remains in Grosse Pointe Park police custody but will be moved to Wayne County Jail late Friday or early Saturday. 

According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, Rivers has a criminal history dating back to 1987 with convictions for armed robbery, first-degree home invasion, breaking and entering, possession of narcotics and more.


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