Recent Posts in Theft Crimes Category

In Northern Michigan, several people have come forward with reports that their credit card information was stolen from people overseas.  One of the individuals is Ashlee Ritchie.  She said that someone used her stolen credit card information in Spain.  After learning of the credit card fraud, she called her bank and they took care of it right away.

However, Ritchie is not alone as several people have had their credit card information stolen from cards that are held at differing banks.  The charges on their cards have reportedly ranged from $200 to $5,000. 

Ritchie told news sources that she continues to check her bank account balances every day.  "You just don't expect it to happen to you, and then you just find out that they're getting into your account."  She also said, "It's just scary, and there's people out there who don't check their balances or their accounts, and people just need to be aware of the situation."

When interviewed, Chemical Bank in Michigan said that debit and credit card fraud are on the rise.  While the bank has teams to monitor transactions and to help protect customers from identity theft, it continues to receive reports of fraud and urges customers to watch their accounts.

If you have been charged with theft or a white collar crime such as fraud, now is the time to hire a Michigan criminal defense lawyer.  Contact Freedman & Freedman now!

In Michigan, 18 year old Kyle Lee Vinson of Marine City was arraigned this week.  Vinson was charged with receiving stolen property and theft of services this past weekend.

According to local police, Vinson called Herring Motor Co. of Somerset Township because he was stranded on the Pennsylvania turnpike.  When an employee from the company arrived to help, Vinson said that he did not have the $90 owed for services that were performed.  He was also without identification.

At first, Vinson claimed that he was his stepfather, Kyle Lee Schram.  It was later discovered that the vehicle Vison was driving was owned by Schram and reported as stolen on June 15^th.

At this time, Vinson remains in Somerset County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail.  His hearing has been scheduled for a later date.

Have you been charged with a serious theft crime, such as auto theft?  If so, it is imperative that you obtain the services of a Michigan criminal defense lawyer.  Contact Freedman & Freedman to speak with a criminal defense attorney today!

In Flint, Michigan, a woman and her son called police and told them that the son had been kidnapped this past Monday.  Law enforcement said that the kidnapping may have occurred because the son and his brothers stole marijuana from nearby drug dealers.

When speaking with police, the son said that he had been walking when two strangers began to chase him.  Once the two males caught up with him, they forced him into the back of a small, black vehicle.  Police say the incident took place during the evening hours.

Once the victim was secured in the vehicle, the two males drove him to an area near Flushing and Dupont Street.  They then pulled him from the back of the care and proceeded to beat his face.  After hitting the victim several times, the two males ran away.

The mother told police that she believes the incident occurred because of the drug theft and that she fears for her sons' lives.

If you have committed a criminal offense in Michigan, such as a theft crime or kidnapping, you should speak with a Michigan criminal defense attorney at the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman as soon as possible. Contact us today to discuss your case and defense strategy.

Police arrested a Huron Township man after they discovered he was stealing natural gas from his gas line.

According to the police report, the officer asked the man if he had been tampering with the gas line and the man said no. Still able to detect the smell of natural gas, the officer examined the man’s gas meter. The smell of gas was particularly strong near the meter, and the officer noticed footprints around the meter.

The man didn’t confess to tampering with the meter until the after the officer read him his Miranda Rights. He said he was simply trying to heat up the house for his family because they were cold, and that he used channel locks and a pipe wrench to twist the lock off. He told police he then used a pry bar to turn on the gas. In addition to tampering with his gas line, he had an electric cord running from his neighbor’s house into his house so he could operate an electric space heater.

According to the police report the man fell behind on his gas bill after his Social Security was cut off for three months.

After running a check on the man, police learned he had several warrants out for his arrest for misdemeanor offenses, some of which include traffic violations and having an unlicensed domestic animal.

Three Pontiac teenagers could face life in prison after being charged with armed robbery.

The teens are accused of committing armed robbery in connection with two separate incidences that occurred early Friday morning.

According to police, Joey Steven Vang, 17, Rocky Herr, 17, and Jerry Herr, 18, approached a man as he pulled into an Auburn Hills parking lot around 3:45 a.m. Police said the teens were wearing masks and one was carrying a rifle. They ordered the man to get out of his vehicle and then assaulted him as he got out of the car. They took his money and cell phone before fleeing the scene in a truck.

An hour later, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office reported that a person had been robbed at gun point in Orion Township. The suspects were again wearing masks and were carrying an AK-47.

Police found the suspects in their vehicle around 4:30 a.m. They were taken into custody and booked for armed robbery. Their masks and weapons were recovered by police.

Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputies are searching for two men suspected of robbing the Meijer store located at 1703 Haggerty Road.

Deputies were called around 5 a.m. yesterday morning. They say the two suspects were hiding in a stairway to the employee area where the store’s cash is located. According to police, six employees were walking to the area to get cash for their registers when the men attacked.

One of the suspects allegedly held an employee at gunpoint and demanded that he get him access to the cash. The employee could not comply because he did not possess a key to the office.

All six employees were then forced into a room and told they wouldn’t be hurt if they complied with the robbers’ orders.  

The store manager was eventually grabbed from behind and ordered to open the door to the cash office. She complied and stuffed money into a garbage bag. The suspects then tied her hands together.

Once the suspect took the garbage bag, he and the other suspect left the building.

The entire ordeal lasted about nine minutes, according to sheriff’s deputies.

Both men are wanted for armed robbery.

If you or someone you know has been charged with armed robbery or another violent  theft offense in Wayne or Oakland County, it’s crucial that you consult an experienced Michigan criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman right away. Armed robbery is a  felony offense, punishable by years in state prison and heavy fines. To ensure you have the aggressive defense you need against armed robbery charges,  contact Freedman & Freedman today by calling (877) 858-5297 or by filling out a free case evaluation.

Police in Oak Park are looking for a man police say robbed and sexually assaulted a woman in her home last week.  

According to police, the 61-year-old woman returned home around 9 p.m.   The suspect approached her near her car and forced her into her home.  The suspect ended up stealing money and the woman’s 2000 Toyota Avalon.

Police say the man did not use a weapon to force the woman into her home, and that he remained in the home with the woman for approximately thirty minutes.  Police also said they aren’t sure if the man followed the woman home or if he was already waiting outside of her house.

As soon as the man left the woman walked to her front door and called out for help. Police arrived shortly thereafter and the woman was taken to the hospital where she was treated and released.

Two Oakland County teenagers are in jail for robbing a 55-year-old woman left paralyzed from a stroke.

Dazmon Kittles, 19, and Keywania Weatherspoon, 18, were arrested, charged, and booked in Oakland County jail for allegedly knocking the woman over and mugging her after pretending like they were going to help her get home. 

Both teens have been charged with armed robbery.  They are each being held on $50,000 bond.   

The woman was leaving the Super K Liquor store and on her way back to the Sagano Motel where she was staying when the two boys approached her.  They offered to push her wheelchair back to the motel.

According to Sgt. Steve Troy, the teens pushed her back to the motel, but then tipped her over and robbed her. The teens ran off with a pack of cigarettes, a $6 bottle of vodka, and $10 in cash.

In a separate incident, an 18-year-old Lake Orion High School student has been charged with taking money from a homeowner at knifepoint.

The 67-year-old homeowner told police a person in their late teens rang the doorbell and was looking for someone named Morgan.  As the homeowner was closing the door, the teen forced his way into the home and stole money the homeowner had recently taken out of the bank. The victim also told police the teen was armed with a 6-inch knife.

A police dog was used to track the suspect.  When the police were led to the Waldon Lakes Apartments in Orion Township, the deputies knocked on the door.  When no one answered, they got a key from the apartment manager and found the knife matching the description lying in plain site.  It was taken as evidence.

The teen was eventually found and taken into custody.  He is currently at the Oakland County jail and is awaiting his arraignment for armed robbery charges.

All theft crimes are classified as either petty theft or grand theft.  When faced with theft charges, knowing whether you are charged with petty theft or grand theft will give you an idea as to what type of penalties you are facing.  Petty theft is a misdemeanor crime, and refers to those cases in which the value of the stolen goods is low, usually below $200.  On the other hand, grand theft is a felony offense, and includes those theft cases in which the value of the stolen goods is very high. 

If you have been arrested on theft charges, you can expect to face the following penalties based on the value of the stolen goods:

• $1-$200: up to 93 days in jail; up to $500 in fines
• $200-$999: up to 1 year in jail; up to $2,000 in fines
• $1,000-$19,999: up to 5 years in prison; up to $10,000 in fines
• $20,000 or more: up to 10 years in prison; up to $15,000 in fines

In addition to these penalties you could also be sentenced to probation, restitution to the victim, community service, and more.