Man Impersonates Security Dealer at Troy Woman's Home

The following information about recent incidents is taken directly from the most recent Troy Police Department media release.

Man impersonates security dealer

100 block of Starr, May 5: A woman reports that a man came to her door and represented himself as an employee of a well-known security company. He was wearing a blue golf shirt with the company logo. He asked her numerous security questions and had her initial a form. At no time did he attempt to gain entry into the home.

Two days later, the complainant called the security company and they informed her that they do not conduct surveys. The suspicious man is described as a man in his 20s with short, dark hair and a thin build.

Elementary school playground vandalized

Wass Elementary, 2340 Willard, May 3-6: Custodian reports that the plastic base of a playground slide was intentionally damaged. 

Rash of pumps, pipes reported stolen

Gorman’s, 1465 W. Big Beaver Rd.: Manager reports that the main copper sprinkler valve was cut off and stolen from the building between Oct. 5, 2012 and May 8. It will cost approximately $1,300 to replace the valve and repair the damage caused by the theft. 

Plumbing Industry Training Center, 1911 Ring, May 6: Maintenance worker reports that sometime over the winter the vacuum breaker for the sprinkler system was cut off and stolen from the west side of the building. Replacement costs are estimated to be $1,000.

Tape Master, 900 Rochester Rd., May 7: While preparing to re-open the sprinkler system for the season, the maintenance supervisor discovered the vacuum breaker pump had been stolen. Replacement cost is between $850 and $900. 

Gilson Automotive, 1205 E. Maple Rd., May 7: Maintenance employees turning the sprinkler system on for the season discovered that the vacuum breaker pump had been stolen sometime over the winter. The pump at Automotive Performance Industries, 1225 E. Maple Rd., was also stolen.

Driving under influence of alcohol/drugs

Interstate-75 and Maple Rd., May 8, 9:21 p.m.: Troy Officers responded to a report of a one-car, rollover accident. When officers arrived on the scene the driver was out of the car. The 38-year-old Bloomfield Hills woman smelled of intoxicants and failed sobriety tests. She was driven to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and charged with operating while intoxicated. A blood test was given and results are pending. 

E. Big Beaver Rd. and Dequindre Rd., May 6, 4:06 p.m.: A citizen reported a suspected drunk driver. The Troy Police officer found the suspect's car in an area shopping plaza. The driver was passed out behind the wheel with the vehicle running and in drive. There was fresh accident damage on the vehicles front driver’s side bumper. The officer woke up the driver, and after shifting the vehicle in park, turned off the engine. The driver, a 49-year-old from Dryden, told police that he didn’t drink alcohol but does take three prescription pain medications and two anti-anxiety medications. After failing sobriety tests, he was arrested for operating under the influence of drugs. A blood test was given and results are pending. 

E. Maple Rd. and Coolidge Hwy., May 7, 2:57 a.m.: A Troy Officer stopped a car after watching it enter the intersection after the light turned red and then proceed through the intersection. The driver had glassy eyes and smelled of intoxicants. The officer determined her driver’s license was suspended. The 23-year-old Royal Oak resident was arrested for operating while intoxicated and driving while license suspended. Breath test results were .14 percent. 

Jewelry stolen from home

2000 block of Hempstead, May 6, 10:00 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.: When the resident returned home he discovered that the glass in the pedestrian garage door was shattered and that the home had been entered. Jewelry was stolen. There are no suspects. 

Catalytic converters stolen

Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois Rd., May 8, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Catalytic converters were stolen from two different vehicles parked at the Community Center. 

Sheffield Office Park, 3310 W. Big Beaver Rd., May 3, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.: The catalytic converter was stolen from the complainant’s Chevrolet. 

Retail fraud

Kohl’s, 500 John R Rd., May 6: A 40-year-old Madison Heights woman was issued a citation for third-degree retail fraud after shoplifting two pieces of jewelry with a retail value of $85. 

Mr Alan’s, 604 W. 14 Mile Rd., May 7: A 28-year-old male from Columbus, OH was arrested by Troy Officers after he shoplifted one size 11 Air Jordan shoe. He was charged with third-degree retail fraud.

Sears, 300 W. 14 Mile Rd., May 9: Troy Officers issued a 21-year-old male from Detroit a citation for third-degree retail fraud after he shoplifted three clothing items with a retail value of $96.

Call Troy Police at (248) 524-3447 if you have any information about this incident. For questions about this report, email local editor Tim Rath at tim.rath@patch.com.