Police Blotter: Baby Dies, Friend Stabbed, Man with Gun Arrested

Thefts and arrests dominate reports to the Royal Oak Police Department for this past week:

4-month-old dies 

4300 block of Elmwood, Dec. 28: Royal Oak officers responded to a report of an unresponsive infant. Upon arrival, the officers found the 4-month-old was not breathing and the infant’s day care provider was performing CPR. The infant was rushed to Beaumont Hospital by the Royal Oak Fire Department. The infant was pronounced dead at the hospital. The incident is under investigation, but there were no indications of neglect or foul play.

Friend stabbed during disarming practice 

3000 block of West 13 Mile, Dec. 28: Royal Oak officers responded to a reported stabbing inside an apartment. Upon arrival, the officers located a man who stated that he and a friend had been practicing disarming techniques when he was accidently stabbed. The victim was taken to  by the Royal Oak Fire Department and was in stable condition. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the incident, which was under investigation. 

Man arrested with gun after road rage incident

3000 block of West 13 Mile, Dec. 26: A person flagged down a Royal Oak officer to report a road rage situation in which the person was being followed by a man. As the officer was speaking to the person, the man was observed driving through the parking lot. The officer stopped the man’s vehicle and he exited the vehicle and ran away. As the man fled, the officer observed him reach for what he believed was a concealed weapon. The officer was able to take the man into custody after a brief struggle. Once the man was secured, the officer located a loaded .38 caliber handgun in the man’s jacket pocket. The man had just gotten off parole for a felony firearm conviction, an assault with intent to commit murder conviction and second-degree murder charge. The man was charged with felony firearm, resisting and obstructing a police officer and carrying a concealed weapon.

Minor fleeing scene arrested

Twelve Mile and Washington, Dec. 24: A man reported that he witnessed a young man looking into his vehicle and then pulling at the door handle. He then observed the young man walk over to his neighbor’s vehicle. When he confronted the young man, he ran away and got into a white sedan. As the young man left the scene in the white vehicle, he swerved at a man who confronted him in an attempt to hit him. Royal Oak officers responded and apprehended the young man as he was driving away from the scene. He was arrested on charges of felonious assault, tampering with an automobile and minor in possession of alcohol.  

Royal Oak officers assist Berkley

Sixth and Kayser, Dec. 25: Royal Oak officers were notified by the Berkley Public Safety Department of a domestic assault that had occurred in their city in which someone fled the scene. A Royal Oak officer driving on Sixth Street near Kayser spotted the person. A traffic stop was initiated and the person was detained and turned over to Berkley officers.

Homes invaded

• 4300 block of West 13 Mile, Dec. 22: A woman reported that someone broke out her bathroom window, entered her apartment and stole numerous items including a camera, some jewelry and her checkbook.  
• 1100 block of Englewood, Dec. 25: A homeowner reported that someone attempted to gain entry through a basement window and a window in the rear of the house.
• 900 block of Ottawa, Dec. 29: A man reported hearing a loud noise in his kitchen. He called out to see if it was his son and heard someone run from the house.  The man called the police. Upon arrival, officers discovered someone had broken out the kitchen window to gain entry into the home. 

Breaking and entering

• , 30333 Woodward Ave., Dec. 29: Royal Oak officers responded to an alarm call and discovered someone had smashed out the store’s front window and stole two Fender guitars. 

Cars stolen

• Lincoln and Irving, Dec. 23:  A man reported that someone stole his 2004 Ford Escape while it was parked on the street.  
• 2300 block of West 13 Mile, Dec. 28:  A man reported that someone stole his 2003 blue Ford Focus from a parking lot. 

Items taken from cars

• 3700 block of Kensington, Dec. 27: Royal Oak officers responded to a larceny from automobile call in progress. The homeowner called police after he interrupted the crime and fought with a man he believed was stealing his car. The other man fled the scene on foot prior to the officers’ arrival. Based on the investigation at the scene, the officers were able to identify the man. They located him later that night inside the warming shelter at and arrested him.

Other incidents

• 300 block of West Sixth, Dec. 22:  A woman stated that someone stole an Apple computer from her office.  
• 100 block of North Center, Dec. 24: A man reported that someone broke the window on the front door to his apartment complex. 

If you have any questions about this report, email Judy.Davids@Patch.com.