72-Year-Old Parolee Nabbed In Royal Oak Home Invasion: Police

ROYAL OAK, MI – A 72-year-old man, out of prison on parole for burglary and armed robbery, was arrested this week for trying to break into Lockwood Road home. Police have charged Vernon Lee Shepard of Pontiac with one count of attempted home invasion in the 1st degree, a five-year felony.

The homeowner called 911 to report a man trying to break into her home on the 700 block of Lockwood at 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday, according to a police report. The homeowner said the man took the screen off a rear window, but fled after seeing her inside.

Royal Oak police arrived and began searching for the suspect, according to a statement. Officers spotted Shepard a few blocks away from the scene of the attempted home invsion. He tried to hide from police by ducking behind a building, but was apprehended.

According to police, Shepard is on parole and has convictions for burglary, armed robbery, and disorderly conduct going back to the 1970s.

Shepard was arraigned Thursday before Judge Derek Meinecke of the 44th District Court, who set his bond at $50,000 cash. Shepard's next court date is Feb. 2.

Photo via Royal Oak Police.