Teens confess to race-related vandalism

By Linda Shepard
C & G Staff Writer

ROCHESTER HILLS — Two young boys, ages 13 and 14, have confessed to several recent incidents of vandalism, including the spray-painting of racial epithets at a home on the city’s northwest side.

According to Capt. Robert Smith of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Rochester Hills substation, a house and car on Plum Ridge were discovered covered with spray-painted graffiti at 6 a.m. Nov. 27.

The graffiti included extensive racial and sexual remarks, swastikas, an inverted cross and other images. Plum Ridge is located north of Walton Boulevard and west of Adams Road.

The homeowner is of Middle Eastern descent, Smith said, and this is the second incident at the home since June, when a swastika was painted on the driveway.

While police were investigating, another Plum Ridge resident, a black man who lives a few houses away, said his car had been tampered with and a box of bullets was left in it.

Several more cars were discovered to have been tampered with on Plum Ridge and nearby Hidden Creek Court. A tree at a home on Plum Ridge was found with a large amount of toilet paper hanging from it. The house also had ketchup and relish smeared on the garage and front door.

Three cars parked in driveways were found with all doors and trunks open. In all, five separate residences were affected, Smith said.

Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe said police responded to a Crime Stoppers tip Nov. 29 and questioned two young boys who live in the area. Investigation revealed that the boys allegedly snuck out of their homes after 1:30 a.m. Nov. 27 and committed the acts, McCabe said.

Police discovered the bullets had been taken from one vehicle and left in another. Two sets of golf clubs were also stolen from vehicles and have been recovered, McCabe said. 

Both teens are students in the Rochester Community Schools. McCabe said the boys allegedly spray painted one house because a resident works for the school system, although the teens have not had contact with that person.

At press time, Smith said juvenile court charges were pending, and the teens could be charged with ethnic intimidation, malicious destruction of property and theft. Both were released to the custody of their parents.

“I am pleased that this racially tinged crime was solved so quickly,” said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. “Thanks to Crime Stoppers, the public for the tips and the hard work of detectives, we have brought this sordid story to a successful conclusion.

“Let this serve as a reminder to all that we will not tolerate racially motivated crimes in Oakland County,” Bouchard said. “We are a diverse county, and everyone’s rights will be vigorously defended.”