Utica Crime Briefs: Attempted Shoplifting at Best Buy, Car Search Uncovers Heroin

Police stop attempted shoplifting from Best Buy

On May 9, at approximately 6:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to for a report of shoplifting.

Store employees told police the suspect, a 29-year-old Sterling Heights man, was seen taking the anti-theft devices off a Sony PSVITA and a Nintendo 3DS and concealing them in his coat. The Nintendo 3ds is valued at $169.99 and the Sony PSVITA is valued at $299.99.

Officers approached the man as he attempted to conceal a third item in his coat.

The man was arrested for retail fraud in the second degree and removal of an anti-theft device. He was transported to the Utica Police Department and held on a $100 bond.

Attempted electronics sale reveals illegal possession of pills

On May 7, at approximately 4:31 a.m., a Utica police officer in the 8100 block of Hall Road was approached by two men who asked if he would be interested in buying electronics from them.

The officer told the men three times to take a good look at his vehicle, indicating he was a law enforcement officer. The men repeatedly asked the officer to buy their items. After the third time, the officer told the men to pull over and asked the driver, a 31-year-old Dearborn man, to exit the vehicle.

Granted permission to search the vehicle, the officer found an unmarked pill bottle containing what was later identified as Hydrocodone and Carisprodol, both scheduled narcotics. The passenger, a 30-year-old Allen Park man, admitted he had no prescription for the pills.

The driver was released with a warning on soliciting without a permit, while the passenger was arrested for violating the controlled substance act by being in possession of a synthetic narcotic.

Drunken driver arrested for hit-and-run

On May 7, at approximately 5:05 p.m., Utica police responded to the area of Hahn and Hecker for a hit-and-run accident, which occurred at westbound Hall Road and Sterritt.

A witness told police he saw the driver, a 29-year-old Utica woman, rear end another vehicle at Hall Road and Sterritt and leave the scene. Police located the woman and the driver of the vehicle, who confirmed the woman was the individual who rear ended her vehicle.

Suspecting alcohol may have been a factor in the accident, Utica police had the woman perform a series of sobriety tests and take a preliminary breath test, for which she registered a .12 blood alcohol content, according to the police report.

The woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated, causing an accident, and leaving the scene of an accident. She was taken to the Utica Police Department and held on a $100 bond, pending sobriety.

$100 stolen from King Auto Parts

On May 7, at approximately 9:05 a.m., Utica police reported to King Auto Parts, at 44800 VanDyke, for a report of theft.

An employee told police he had been doing the morning till count when he placed $216.64 on the counter nearby. Shortly after, a 33-year-old Shelby Township man entered the store and approached the counter. When the employee went to retrieve an item from another area of the store, he left the cash sitting on the counter and later noticed the man shuffling through some papers on the counter before leaving the store. Upon returning to the counter, the employee noticed that a $100 bill from the cash pile was missing, according to the police report.

The suspect has been identified and police are further investigating the case.

Car search reveals heroin rock, needles

On May 5, at approximately 7:56 p.m., Utica police stopped a vehicle in the area of Hall Road and M-53, after the car's side tires were seen crossing into the entrance ramp lane.

Suspecting the 42-year-old driver of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, police asked permission to search the vehicle. The driver, a Warren resident, permitted the search, during which a K9 officer located what was later identified as a heroin rock and three syringes.

The driver was arrested for violating the controlled substance act–a felony. He was transported to the Utica police department for booking and held for arraignment.

For questions on the police blotter, email Jenny Whalen at jenny.whalen@patch.com.