Trio of Burglars Hit Mack Avenue Business

police are investigating the break-in of a Mack Avenue business in which a rock was used to break the front window. Officers were called to , 17658 Mack Ave., about 5:30 a.m. Jan. 5 by an intruder alarm.

Responding officers found that a front window was broken out and several glass cases inside the business were smashed as well. The owner has identified some of what was stolen but is still compiling a more complete list for police, City Detective Christopher J. Lee said.

The store has a great deal of small merchandise so determining exactly what was taken will take a bit of time, he said.

Detectives are trying to identify three young men who were caught on video and audio tape during the crime, the quality of which Lee described as excellent. The video shows the three men entering after the window breaks and then taking coins and other items from the display cases inside.

One of the men also took a shotgun that was resting near a safe. He tried to use it to disarm the alarm that alerted police to the crime but only ripped off the face of the alarm pad and poked a hole in the wall with the shotgun, according to a report. 

Lee said the three men wore face masks, gloves and hoodies to conceal their identities, but the audio on the tape has given investigators at least two names to help narrow their search.

Officers recovered a lot of jewelry that was found outside of the business on the sidewalk among shattered pieces of glass. The jewelry was photographed by police and returned to the store's owner, according to a report.

The trio left behind cash in the register, which was ajar when officers arrived.

An early inventory of missing merchandise by the owner revealed the men got away with 70 coins valued at $2,100 as well as several other small items, according to a report.

Lee said no other similar crimes have been reported in the area. Officers were able to lift two shoe prints and two fingerprints from the scene, which will be analyzed by Michigan State Police, according to a report.

For questions on the police blotter, email sara.martin@patch.com.