Crime & Safety

Thieves Target at Least 16 Vehicles in Royal Oak Over Past Week

The following information was supplied by the Royal Oak Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Thieves continue to take advantage of unlocked vehicles and break in to others around Royal Oak, where police received at least 16 reports of larceny of an auto from June 17-23 at homes, businesses and parking areas around town.  Many of the reports involved the thefts of in-dash GPS units.

"They're definitely on the increase," Royal Oak Lt. Tom Goad said of the car break-ins. "It's important for people to lock their vehicles and don't leave anything visible inside."

Following are reports made to the Royal Oak Police Department:

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Royal and Columbus Avenues, June 22:  Three men were arrested on charges of tampering with a motor vehicle after a man reported seeing three males approach his neighbor’s car, one of them enter the unlocked vehicle and then all three walk to another neighbor’s vehicle and attempt to enter it. Royal Oak officers arrived on the scene and placed the three suspects under arrest. 

1200 block of N. Campbell, June 17: The window of a Chrysler 300 was smashed and in-dash GPS stolen. 

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Center Street Parking Structure, 200 S. Center, June 16: The complainant reported that the driver side window of his 2001 Chevy Blazer was broken and missing from the vehicle were the in-dash stereo, a laptop, camera, portable MP3 player and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Emagine Theatre, 200 N. Main, June 17:  The complainant reported that as he walked to his car in the parking lot, he observed a male closing the door to his vehicle. He confronted the man, who then returned the complainant's cell phone and fled the area on foot. 

300 N. Main, June 17:  The complainant reported that three males on BMX-style bicycles entered his vehicle and stole a portable GPS unit and an iPod. The complainant confronted the suspects and they fled the area.

Center Street Parking Structure, 200 S. Center, June 17:  The complainant reported that her driver side window was broken and bank statements and a pair of Adidas tennis shoes were taken from the vehicle.

1900 block of East Fourth Street, June 19:  The driver’s window of a 2010 Jeep was reported smashed and in-dash GPS unit taken.

1900 block of Guthrie, June 19:  The complainant reported that someone entered his unlocked vehicle and stole his briefcase.  The briefcase was located a few blocks away and returned.

2200 block of Guthrie, June 20:  A woman reported that someone entered her unlocked vehicle and stole a bag containing legal documents.  The bag was located a short distance away and returned.

800 block of Knowles, June 20:  Work tools were reported stolen from an unlocked van.

600 block of North Alexander, June 20:  A camera, gym bag with soccer equipment and an undisclosed amount of currency were reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle. 

300 block of South Alexander, June 20:  Work keys and an undisclosed amount of money were reported taken from a woman's unlocked vehicle.

1000 North Vermont, June 20:  The complainant reported the passenger side rear window of his 2011 Dodge Charger was broken out and in-dash GPS unit missing.

1000 block of Wyandotte, June 20: An in-dash GPS unit was reported stolen and driver side window of a 2008 Jeep broken out.

LA Fitness, 25352 Woodward Ave., June 20:  The complainant reported someone broke out her driver side window and stole her gym bag.

200 block of Pingree, June 21:  The in-dash GPS unit was reported stolen from a woman's 2009 Jeep and driver side window broken.

For questions about this blotter, email Beth.Valone@patch.com. If you have any information about any of these incidents, call Royal Oak police at (248) 246-3500.


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