Police: Larcenies in south, north neighborhoods

On Friday, Aug 26, Van Buren Township police sent out a Nixle advisory concerning home invasions and larceny from autos occurring in the south end of the township within the past two weeks.
The area targeted has been between Sumpter and Elwell roads north of Hull and south of W. Huron River Drive.
On Monday, Aug. 29, Van Buren Township Public Safety Director Gregory Laurain issued a another call for residents to call the police if they see anything unusual in their neighborhoods, since ten larceny from auto reports had been lodged on Sunday in Homestead subdivision off Ecorse Road in the north end of the township.
He has no reason to believe the south and north criminal activity is related, he said.
Home invasions on some unoccupied homes and garages have been occurring along with larceny from unlocked vehicles in driveways in the south end.
The Homestead larcenies were between 2 and 4:15 a.m. on Sunday, based on video camera evidence from a resident.
Director Laurain said on the video three suspects and a pick up truck can be seen.
He said there were two breakings and enterings of garages using garage door openers found in unlocked cars.
A riding lawn mower was taken from a garage and left at the end of a driveway and Laurain said they may have been unsuccessful in getting it into the pickup.
Laurain said people don’t realize they’ve been victimized until morning when the suspects are long gone.
On Monday night, Channel 2 News interviewed residents in Homestead subdivision who were victimized during the early morning hours.
One resident showed how her car was damaged by someone trying to steal her catalytic converter. Others showed damage to their vehicles.
Laurain said everyone has to be vigilant and lock the doors of their homes and vehicles.
“So many people are not locking the doors to their houses,” he said.
Laurain also said they need to keep valuables out of sight in vehicles because people can look in a window, see something they want and break the window to get it.
Police encourage residents to keep their electronic devices, purses, wallets and other belongings out of unlocked and unattended vehicles while parked in driveways and, if possible, keep outside lighting on after dark.
Residents are asked to be vigilant in their neighborhoods and report any suspicious activity to police. Laurain said his department dispatches a car to every call. If a caller wants no contact from a police officer the officer will come out to check on the situation and not contact the caller, Laurain said.
“You can help by sharing this information with your neighbors and together be the eyes and ears for the police,” Laurain said. “We have to work together.”
As far as leaving your house and vehicle unlocked, “You can’t do that anymore,” Laurain said.