From left to right, Michael Bandy, James Fox and Brian Fitzgerald

Carhoppers
face five years

By Erin McClary
C & G Staff Writer

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Stealing even little items like iPods and spare change out of cars can scar your record and potentially thwart future employers, said Capt. John Roberts of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.

After “carhopping” around Macomb Township taking items from unlocked, parked cars, James Fox, 18, of Sterling Heights, Michael Bandy, 18, and Brian Fitzgerald, 17, both of Warren, caught up with Macomb County Sheriff’s deputies and were hauled to jail.

Now the three face up to five years in prison.

According to the police report, shortly after 2 a.m. on Feb. 19, a woman reported three white teenage males running from her car, which was parked in a residential driveway in the 20000 block of Old Brook Lane, and suspected the men of carhopping in the neighborhood.

The term carhopping refers to going driveway to driveway checking vehicles for unlocked door handles and stealing items from inside. Roberts said although the three were caught, “it doesn’t appear that it’s a first-time thing.”

From the woman’s car, the men took a video iPod, its connector cord and Coach case. When officers arrived at the scene, CDs were scattered around the vehicle, but only the iPod and its accessories were taken.

The suspects were apprehended in their vehicle on Hall Road (M-59) near Groesbeck shortly after the report. Roberts said stolen items, including more than just the woman’s iPod, were recovered.

“That’s what they came there to do,” he said. “A statement was made (that) they decided to go into Macomb Township for this purpose.”

Why they chose Macomb Township as opposed to their own cities to carhop is not known.

But Macomb Township is no stranger to hosting carhoppers. Roberts said it is an issue that “kind of goes up and down” in the area. This instance, however, is better than what the Sheriff’s Office has seen in the past.

“They were at least fortunate these kids were doing open door (larceny),” he said. “Having a window broken is certainly more destructive.”

Despite the damages that may occur in the event of a thief seeing something worthwhile lying on your front seat and breaking in, Robert still suggests keeping car doors locked whenever the car is unoccupied.

“It’s a hassle, but a lot more of a hassle when you come out and find (something) stolen.”

Most carhopping incidents in Macomb Township happen from driveways. And Roberts said with summer just ahead, the task is much easier and more likely to happen. Some thieves will actually walk into open garages to check car doors, he said.

Fox, Bandy and Fitzgerald were all arraigned in Shelby Township’s 41-A District Court last month and charged with larceny from a motor vehicle, a five-year felony.

The three were appointed attorneys from the court and will be back at 41-A on March 3 for an examination.

Roberts said, based on the three suspects’ virtually non-existent criminal records, they most likely won’t see five years of jail time. If the three are given the full sentence, they will serve it in prison. Anything under a year can be served at the Macomb County Jail.

Fox, Bandy and Fitzgerald all posted $5,000 bond and have been released pending the March 3 court date.

Roberts said a felony like this might leave future employers questioning the teens’ hire.

“I certainly don’t have any idea why they think it’s OK to do this,” he added. “This could have extremely long-term consequences on their records.”