Madison Heights

Burglary suspect caught at Econo Lodge

By Andy Kozlowski
C & G Staff Writer

After comparing notes with other jurisdictions, police identified the man they believe burgled a restaurant and hair salon in Madison Heights, arresting him at a motel where more evidence was uncovered Jan. 28.

Jerry Bernard Tuzzo, 44, formerly of Clinton Township, was arraigned in Madison Heights 43rd District Court before Magistrate Kimblery Wilson Jan. 29.

He is charged with two counts of breaking and entering a building with intent to commit larceny. If convicted of one or both counts, he faces up to 10 years in prison. He is being held on $100,000 cash or surety bond.

Police say Tuzzo hit two Madison Heights businesses: Azteca Restaurant, 321 W. 14 Mile, on Jan. 12, and Great Clips Hair Salon, 32421 John R, on Jan. 21. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen from each.

At Azteca, Tuzzo allegedly forced entry through the back door of the business, taking money from the main cash register and breaking into the manager’s office to steal money from the storage boxes as well. He did the same at Great Clips.

Video surveillance caught glimpses of the suspect, who wore a distinctive coat and at one location was seen with a bicycle. When the detective working the case shared the description with a Troy officer, connections began to be made.

“What sounded familiar (to the Troy officer) was that we had a guy who was wearing this particular coat and he was on a bicycle,” said Madison Heights Police Lt. Corey Haines. “Those two things were what jogged the Troy officer’s memory, so that he put two and two together from there.”

The Troy officer verified details like the type of coat and bicycle with Sterling Heights police, and then checked the surveillance footage for himself at one of the establishments. The officer was able to positively ID the suspect as Tuzzo, who has a lengthy criminal history and previously was wanted on an outstanding parole absconder warrant from the Michigan Department of Corrections.

The Oakland County Narcotics Enforcement Team helped canvass area hotels and eventually located Tuzzo at the Econo Lodge, 32703 Stephenson Highway in Madison Heights. Tuzzo was put under arrest, offered no resistance, and a search warrant was executed, uncovering additional evidence, such as matching articles of clothing, the bike the suspect had used, and Spanish coins taken from Azteca.

“I’m just really proud of our guys, and the fact they were out there working on the case, comparing notes with the neighboring jurisdiction that had information we had no idea they had,” Haines said. “We were able to put everything together and close out the case, solving two crimes that otherwise would’ve gone unsolved.”
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at akozlowski@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1104.