Police Blotter: Thefts, Fraud and Minor in Possession

A 53-year-old Harper Woods man will appear in court Wednesday on a charge of unarmed robbery after being arrested May 12 for shoplifting more than $200 in groceries from Kroger. 

The man has been suspected of stealing from both the on Mack Avenue and one in St. Clair Shores for at least six months. On May 12, a loss prevention employee spotted the man loading a cart and then exit the Woods store without paying. The man ran from the loss prevention employee, knocking over a flower stand and two carts during the chase and fought when the employee caught him. The employee escorted the man back to the store and contacted police. The man said he stole the groceries to sell and was angry when police officers said the value of the groceries exceeded $200—an amount that defines a higher level of crime.

He was originally charged with retail fraud but the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office upped the charge to unarmed robbery. Among the groceries he tried to steal are about $50 in Angus steaks, more than $100 in Red Bull energy drinks, $50 in wine and a case of Budweiser.

SUV theft thwarted

police are investigating the attempted theft of a GMC Yukon from a home in the 1300 block of Devonshire during which the owner scared away the would-be thief. The resident was getting ready for work when he spotted a man pushing his Yukon down the driveway. The man ran to a getaway car after the resident yelled at him from inside his house, according to a report.

Damage to property

Grosse Pointe Woods police are investigating a tire slashing in the 2100 block of Roslyn Road. The owner of the car called police early May 15 after hearing a popping noise outside and finding a front tire flat. The owner told officers he saw a small, red hatchback vehicle driving away, according to a report.

Thefts

Grosse Pointe Woods police interviewed a Kroger employee May 12 after loss prevention officials reported he stole $300 from a register. The man admitted to stealing the $300 May 6 shortly after being made a cashier, explaining he took advantage of an opportunity he felt presented itself to help him. Another employee told officers the man is essentially homeless and has nothing. The man was also questioned about bedbug bites that covered his body, to which he explained he tries to ensure none are on him at work. The man no longer works at Kroger. Police took the evidence gathered by a loss prevention official and escorted the man out of the grocery store, according to a report.

Grosse Pointe Park police are investigating the theft of a mountain bike from an unlocked garage in the 1400 block of Kensington Road. The bike was reported stolen May 13, according to a report.

Fraud arrest

Grosse Pointe Woods police arrested a 21-year-old Detroit man who was trying to cash what bank officials identified as a fraudulent check May 9. The man entered on Mack Avenue and requested to cash a check from a New Hampshire college for nearly $3,000. The teller was suspicious of the check immediately because the signature was stamped, the amount was just shy of $3,000 and the man wasn't hesitant about paying the $7 processing fee since he didn't have an account with the bank. The man was charged with fraud and the check was taken into evidence. The man's mother and other relatives showed up to the police department to explain the money was intended to give him cash toward college, according to a police report.

Tickets issued

Grosse Pointe Park officers issued several tickets to minors in possession of alcohol after receiving a complaint about a party in the 900 block of Berkshire Road May 14. Officers went to the home about 12:40 a.m., according to a report.