2 Arrested In String Of Oakland Co. Restaurant, Store Burglaries: Cops

TROY, MI — Two men were arrested in connection with 11 restaurant and store burglaries across Oakland County, according to police.

Justin Shipp, 37, and Jackson Upton, 45, were charged with continuing a criminal enterprise, multiple counts of breaking and entering with intent and multiple counts of retail fraud.

They were both placed in jail. Upton was given a $1 million bond and Shipp was given a $750,000 bond. Their next court date wasn't released.

Starting in late 2024 and early January, police began investigating a string of burglaries that happened during the nighttime hours in Oakland County, according to police.

Police said the suspects threw large rocks through the storefront glass and stole register drawers and cash. Each time, they were seen leaving the scene in a black Chevrolet Malibu, according to police.

Police did not say how much money was taken in the burglaries.

Police did identify any of the businesses that Shipp and Upton broke into, but said officers were called to investigate reports of a "suspicious person/vehicle" at an ACE Hardware store in Highland Township last Thursday.

When officers arrived, Shipp and Upton tried to run from the scene, but they were quickly captured and arrested in connection with the burglaries, according to police.

"My office takes property crimes seriously because they endanger our communities and threaten the livelihood of small businesspeople and their employees," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said. "Prosecutors and police across jurisdictions are working together in Oakland County to bring these criminals to justice."