Police Blotter: Border Patrol, Theft, Burglary

police are investigating the theft of a GPS and radio system from a Dodge Nitro parked behind in the Village on Jan. 2.

The theft happened while the driver was in the Village. She left the car parked there about 5:30 p.m., and when she returned about 6:40 p.m., she discovered the missing units. The driver's side door lock had significant damage to it and the wires from the permanently installed GPS unit and radio system were dangling in the windshield. Police sent out a nixle alert warning residents to remove valuables from vehicles or at a minimum put them out of sight from passers-by. No other similar crimes have been reported recently. 

Burglary of Home, Attempt on a Garage

police are investigating the burglary of a vacant home in the 19400 block of Raymond Street in which copper pipes were stolen. A neighbor noticed movement in the house, which is vacant and called police. He provided officers with a basic description of the man he saw leaving the home with a backpack as well as the getaway vehicle, which was a white sedan with a hanging muffler. The property manager came to the house while officers photographed the damage caused by the theft of the pipes, which were taken from the basement and kitchen. There was also damage in an upstairs bathroom and damage to the door where the burglar forced their way into the house. Officers checked the area for the getaway car and burglar but did not have any success in finding anyone who met the description, according to a report. 

Grosse Pointe Woods police are also investigating the attempted burglary of a garage in the 1800 block of Newcastle Road. The resident found damage to a door leading into her garage early Jan. 5 and told officers the damage happened overnight sometimes after 6 p.m. Jan. 4. The would-be burglar did not get into the garage but damaged a deadbolt lock to the point that a key will no longer fit into it. The resident did not hear anything during the night, according to a report.

Traffic Stop Leads to Border Patrol Investigation

City of Grosse Pointe police arrested a 29-year-old Guatemalan man early Jan. 6 after stopping him for having a broken headlight and discovering he is not a United States citizen. A patrol officer spotted the vehicle driving on Cadieux with one headlight out. When the officer appoached, the man provided him with ID from Guatemala and did not have any U.S. identification. Border Patrol officers were called to the scene and took over the investigation. 

Domestic Argument Involves Police Again

Grosse Pointe Woods police were called to a home for the second time in a week related to domestic violence. The husband called 911 on the wife after she slapped him in the face. She had been . Officers declined to arrest either party Jan. 4, explaining they needed to figure out a permanent solution to their problems. They told the couple, who have four children, they will both be arrested if officers are called back to the house again and Child Protective Services will be called for the children, according to a report. 

For questions on the police blotter, email sara.martin@patch.com.