Police Blotter: Man Robbed While Talking to Someone Impersonating City Worker

Highlights from reports from the week of Aug. 16-23.

Woman kicks officer in stomach

200 block of W. Houstonia, Aug. 20: A woman reported she had a party at her home and asked everyone to leave. One of the guests became upset the party was over and demanded to be let back in.  The guest took a golf club and struck the storm door, breaking the glass. The female guest then attempted to open the door, cutting her arm on the broken glass. Officers located the woman out front and discovered she was bleeding and in need of treatment for her injuries. The woman refused to be transported to the hospital and kicked one of the officers in the stomach. She was placed under arrest for assaulting a police officer and malicious damage to property.

Man is robbed while talking to someone impersonating a surveyor

2800 block of Crooks, Aug. 22:  A man reported someone knocked on his door around 2:30 p.m. and claimed he was a surveyor from the City of Royal Oak.  The person told the homeowner he would need to cut some trees in his yard down then took the homeowner outside to show him the trees in question.  The person and homeowner spent approximately 30 minutes outside discussing the work.  The man left the area on foot and several hours later, the complainant realized that someone had been in his home and stole money, E series bonds, jewelry, and the title to his vehicle.  The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 20 or 30 years of age, 5-feet 7-inches tall and about 140 pounds with short black hair and multiple brown spots on his face and neck.  He was wearing a short sleeve button up shirt, and light blue casual pants.    

The suspect in this case was not an employee with the City of Royal Oak and never showed any credentials nor did the homeowner ask to see them. 

If an individual comes to your home to solicit work or informs you that work needs to be done on your property, always ask to see their identification.  If you are concerned or unsure of the validity of an individual, do not hesitate to call the police department for assistance.   

Breaking and entering

Custard and Co., 32922 Woodward Avenue, Aug. 22:  Someone pried open a front window to gain entry into the business and steal currency. 

Larceny

, 1703 E. 11 Mile, Aug. 20:  Royal Oak officers on patrol noticed a suspicious man grab an unsecured bicycle from the front of the store.  The man ran the bike to the rear of the building.  The officers were able to stop the suspect in the alley and determined the he had just stolen the bicycle and arrested him for larceny. 

1800 block of N. Lafayette, Aug. 22: A man reported someone stole a Federal Express package from his front porch. 

Cars stolen

Eton Cross and Bembridge, Aug. 18:  A man reported someone stole his black 1980 Chevrolet Malibu.  The vehicle has a large white stripe on the side.        

3000 block of W. 13 Mile, Aug. 21: A man reported someone stole his Maroon 1982 Buick regal. 

Malicious damage to property

200 block of W. Houstonia, Aug. 20: A woman reported she had a party at her home and asked everyone to leave. One of the guests became upset the party was over and demanded to be let back in.  The guest took a golf club and struck the storm door, breaking the glass. The female guest then attempted to open the door, cutting her arm on the broken glass. Officers located the woman out front and discovered she was bleeding and in need of treatment for her injuries. The woman refused to be transported to the hospital and kicked one of the officers in the stomach. She was placed under arrest for assaulting a police officer and malicious damage to property. 

, 709 N. Washington, Aug. 20:  A man reported someone kicked or struck his vehicle causing three dents to the passenger side of his vehicle.

32000 block of Woodward Avenue, Aug. 20:  A man reported someone entered his vehicle and forced open his glove box.  Nothing appeared to be stolen, however, the glove box was damaged. 

1400 block of S. Main, Aug. 19: A man reported someone threw a rock through the windshield of his vehicle. 

Items taken from cars

4900 block of Coolidge, Aug. 20: Complainant reported someone punched the door lock on her 2010 Chrysler Town and Country and stole the in-dash GPS unit. 

1400 block of E. Fourth, Aug. 22: Complainant reported someone entered his Jeep Cherokee and stole the in-dash stereo. 

26454 Woodward Avenue, Aug. 21: Complainant reported someone stole the catalytic converter from his 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier.  The suspect also entered the vehicle through an open sunroof and stole a guitar, camera and cooler. 

600 block of S. Connecticut, Aug. 21:  Complainant reported someone smashed the passenger door window on his 2012 Dodge Ram truck and attempted to steal the in-dash GPS unit. 

500 block of S. Edgeworth, 6-21:  Complainant reported someone broke the rear window to his 2012 Jeep Cherokee and stole the in-dash GPS unit.  A neighbor reported to officers that she observed a 6’ 4”, shadowy figure, near her neighbor’s car around 2:30 a.m. the suspect was wearing a sweatshirt with the hood pulled over their head.  The neighbor also reported seeing a sedan type vehicle driving without their lights a short time later but did not call the police. 

2200 block of Brockton, 6-21: Complainant reported someone entered his unlocked Jeep Liberty and stole the in-dash GPS unit. 

700 block of S. Laurel, Aug. 22:  Complainant reported someone entered his unlocked vehicle and stole an I-Pod, keys, duffel bag, briefcase, and paperwork.          

Other incidents

4336 Mandalay, Aug. 19:  Royal Oak officers responded to investigate a hit and run accident. Officers determined a driver had struck a vehicle in Madison Heights and was being followed by that victim. The vehicle traveled at a high rate of speed through the neighborhood and eventually struck a tree at Upton Elementary. The driver then left the scene.  Officers were able to identify the driver, who lived in Birmingham, and went to his home.  The officers located the vehicle and impounded it.  Officers were not able to speak with the driver.  

Connecticut and Fourth, Aug. 21: A woman reported someone threw a beer can through the open window of her vehicle striking her in the arm.  The woman was stopped at a cross walk waiting for the man and another pedestrian to cross.  The man is described as a white male, 20-25 years of age, 6-feet tall with short brown hair. 

100 block of W. Parent, Aug. 21:  A man reported someone, who lives in the apartment below him, entered his apartment through an open door on two separate occasions and punched him in the face. The argument stems over accusations of drug use. 

Woodward Dream Cruise

Due to the great weather, there record crowds in Royal Oak for this year’s Dream Cruise.  Despite the large crowds, Royal Oak police experienced relatively few problems and there are no significant incidents to report. 

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