Eastpointe police crack down on vehicle thefts

EASTPOINTE — The Eastpointe Police Department closed out the month of April arresting suspected car thieves and recovering stolen vehicles in a multi-agency operation that spanned the city.

The rates for vehicle theft and property theft from vehicles had spiked the first few weeks of April, leading to the crackdown by the Eastpointe Police Department, which put its detective bureau and Special Investigations Unit to the task, with assistance from the Sterling Heights police, the Macomb County Auto Theft Squad and the Oakland County Auto Theft Squad.

Together, an increased presence in officers throughout the city during the last week of April led to the arrest of two adult suspects and the recovery of two stolen vehicles, along with 13 investigatory traffic stops in which nine citations were issued.

One of the stolen vehicles fled the scene, leading to a pursuit. The suspect vehicle struck a parked car and sustained rear left-side tire damage. The suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot but was ultimately arrested. At press time, charges were pending with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.

For the second stolen vehicle, the driver pulled over for police and did not resist being taken into custody. That case is also pending charges from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.

Lt. Alexander Holish, with the Eastpointe police, said that in one case, the arrested suspect was a 45-year-old Detroit woman in possession of a stolen 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and in the other case, the arrested suspect was a 22-year-old Eastpointe woman in a stolen 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The Eastpointe woman was accompanied by a male suspect who was able to evade arrest but had been identified at press time.

At press time, it was unclear which incident involved each suspect. But the lieutenant noted that targeted vehicles were largely Kias and Hyundais, as well as Jeep Cherokees and mid-2000s Chevy Trailblazers.

Corey Haines, the chief of the Eastpointe Police Department, said that the operation was a success.

“I’m very proud of the efforts put forth by our command officers to put details together, with the assistance of other agencies,” Haines said via email. “The officers, along with our assigned road patrol officers, spent several hours watching for people breaking into or attempting to steal vehicles from our city. As a result of this special detail, two stolen vehicles were recovered and two adults were arrested.

“Residents and business owners are encouraged to use steering wheel locking devices, car alarms and kill switches to help prevent car theft,” he added. “It’s also important not to leave valuables in your vehicle that can be easily seen by looking into the vehicle windows. Also, always try to park in well-lit areas.”