Update: Grosse Pointe Farms Police Investigating Lead in Car Break-Ins

are planning to interview a potential suspect in two car break-ins and the theft of a Jeep that happened earlier this week. 

The and within a very short distance of each other. Detectives believe the crimes were committed by the same person and issued an alert to residents seeking information. 

A 2006 Jeep was stolen from a driveway in the 20 block of Windemere Drive; a vehicle in the 20 block of Waverly Lane was broken into and several items were taken including a GPS, zip drives, a black computer case with work files and identification; a car in the 400 block of Bellanger Road was broken into and several items were stolen including a bottle of Xanax pills, flat screen LCS monitor and a keyboard. Residents reported the crimes early Monday after discovering them, according to police reports. 

Detective John Walko said they believe drugs are fueling the crimes and the suspect may be involved in another recent crime that is also under investigation. Several items stolen from Waverly Lane were recovered in the 400 block of Kercheval Avenue early Monday but detectives are still looking for much of the stolen property, including the Jeep. 

Walko said residents should be conscious of locking their vehicles wherever they are and if they must leave any valuables inside, conceal them. The best option is to remove the items, he said. 

In this particular spree, police believe one person may be responsible but he may be working with a network of individuals, Walko said. Often groups that target valuables in vehicles will walk down a street and simply try to open doors, he said. 

"It's like Christmas to these people," Walko said, noting it is random targeting and the path of least resistance. 

The same suggestions apply to leaving for vacation, Walko said. Residents should have people check in on their homes, have lights on, dogs and signs warning of an alarm system even if the house doesn't have an alarm system. 

Criminals don't know whether a house is equipped with an alarm, he said. In analyzing whether a house would be a good target, those without any deterrents are likely high on the criminal's priority list, Walko said. 

Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious is asked to call police at 313-885-6600.