Publication select ▼
GROSSE POINTE PARK — Four suspects have been identified by police after they reportedly carjacked a man who was picking up a carryout in the area of Beaconsfield and Kercheval avenues at around 8:35 p.m. Dec. 12.
During a Jan. 8 Grosse Pointe Park City Council meeting, Public Safety Director James Bostock said they’ve identified the suspects involved in the case, all of whom are juveniles. He said two of the suspects had been interviewed at press time and released into their parents’ custody, while police were still awaiting the results of seven search warrants they obtained to collect more evidence. Bostock said their plan is to build up a solid case to present to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
“It’s a unique situation because it involves juveniles instead of adults,” Bostock said.
A police report from December stated that three of the suspects, who approached the victim on foot, were wearing all-black clothing and masks. One of the suspects, who was armed with a silver handgun, demanded the victim’s car key, which he surrendered. The three suspects then entered the vehicle — a black 2019 Cadillac Escalade — and fled the scene.
Detective Sgt. Jeremy Pittman said the man is fine and sustained no injuries during the incident. Within an hour, Pittman said, police were able to track the Escalade to an abandoned home in Detroit, where it had been dumped. Pittman said police also found two other vehicles in that same area that had been stolen during recent carjackings elsewhere.
Pittman said Park detectives were working with the Detroit Police Department’s auto theft task force on this case.
Bostock said that besides help from Detroit police, the Public Safety Department was also assisted by Michigan State Police and the FBI.
“We’ve had some great support,” Bostock said.
Carjacking is a serious offense; conviction carries a potential life sentence in Michigan, although it’s not clear whether the juvenile suspects in this case might be facing the same type of sentencing. It’s not common in the Park, but it has happened before; Pittman estimated the department had seen about three carjackings within the last five or six years.
“It was just a crime of opportunity,” Pittman said.
He advised residents to always be aware of their surroundings and to call police immediately if they see someone suspicious hanging around in the shadows or in an alley.
The crime occurred in the city’s Kercheval business district, which is usually busy and well patrolled by police. Bostock said they stepped up patrols in the district after this incident.
“Hopefully we’ve sent a strong message that crime’s not allowed here,” Mayor Michele Hodges said.
