Man in Grosse Pointe Court for Speeding Tries to Steal Court Cash, Police Say

police arrested a 21-year-old Harper Woods man Thursday after he allegedly tried to steal the court's cash while awaiting his appearance on a speeding ticket. 

The man was waiting for the prosecutor at the entryway of a back room off the courthouse lobby when a court clerk stepped into the courtroom briefly. Upon her return, she found him across the room standing near a drawer where the cash is kept, detective Christopher J. Lee said.

When she questioned him, the man said he was trying to get a doughnut from a box. She quickly ushered him out of the room and when she checked the drawer, found the envelope was gone, Lee said.

She immediately notified the officers in court. Meanwhile, the man had gone into the bathroom. He was stopped when he exited and the envelope of cash was found in the bathroom trash can, Lee said.

Upon being questioned, the man admitted to stealing the cash, explained it was a stupid mistake and that he did it because he and his family were hungry, Lee said. The man has a criminal history of larceny and home invasion.

The envelope had $4,187 in cash—an amount that elevates possible charges considerably, said Lee, who was writing the warrant Thursday afternoon in hopes having it submitted that day for consideration by the prosecutor's office. The man is likely to be arraigned on charges Friday or Monday. 

Larceny of money from $1,000 to $20,000 carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and/or fines in the amount of $10,000 or up to three times the amount stolen, whichever is greater.