Troy Police Media Report: April 1 - April 13, 2020

April 14, 2020

Troy Police Patrol During “Stay Home” Order

Police Calls for Service Down Overall

Since Michigan’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order has been in place, the Troy Police Department has noted a drop in requests for police service overall.

As of April 13, the Troy Police Department has handled 694 calls for service for the month. In April 2019, Troy officers handled a total of 3499 calls for service.

The Troy Police Department handled a total of 2688 calls for service in March 2020 and 4207 in March 2019, representing a nearly 36 percent drop.

Car crash reports are also down in Troy. So far this month, officers have investigated 18 car crashes. Officers investigated 155 car crashes in March 2020 as opposed to 354 in March 2019.

Since March 23, the Troy Police Department has received 76 calls for possible violations of the Governor’s Executive Order. Overall, the Troy Police Department has had success in using a voluntary compliance approach to enforcement of Michigan’s “stay home” order.

Citizens should know that despite the drop in requests for police service, Troy officers are still patrolling the city and addressing public safety concerns. The Department has implemented a number of measures to reduce non-essential contact between officers and members of the public, including increased use of online and telephonic reporting.

 

April 2020 Arrests (as of April 13, 2020)

Offense	April 2020	April 2019
Assaults	2	7
Shoplifting	0	31
Operate While Intoxicated	3	24
Traffic Offenses	1	39

 

March 2020 Arrests

Offense	March 2020	March 2019
Assaults	12	4
Shoplifting	19	19
Operate While Intoxicated	20	33
Traffic Offenses	24	42

 

APRIL INCIDENTS

What follows are descriptions of incidents reported to the Troy Police Department between April 1 and April 13, 2020. This is not an exhaustive list of all incidents that occurred during that timeframe.

Suspicious Incidents

Suspicious Vehicle – area of John R north of Wattles – At 12:25 am on April 13, an officer on patrol observed a vehicle leaving the parking lot of Athens High School. After apparently noticing the officer, the driver changed lanes rapidly and then stopped without prompting from the officer. The officer spoke with the occupants, two local teens. The passenger of the vehicle stated that they went to Athens High School to “dance in the rain under the parking lot lights.” The teens were advised on the “stay home” order and sent home. 20-10130

“Stay Home” Order Violation – 3671 Crooks – On April 11 at approximately 7:20 pm, officers were dispatched to Boulan Park because of a teenager ripping down the caution tape on the playground equipment. A citizen had attempted to explain why the caution tape was in place and the teen responded with expletives. Officers arrived and also explained the situation to the 15 year old, who now challenged the officers. The teen’s mother arrived, apologized and carted the teen off. The teen escaped his mother’ custody and called the officers “pigs.” The mother got ahold of the teen again and he left location without further incident.

“Stay Home” Order Violation – 2000 block of Charnwood – On April 10 at approximately 9:50 am, officers responded to a residence on report that the homeowner was having workers install cabinets. Officers informed the homeowner that the “stay home” order did not permit this type of work and he agreed to dismiss the workers.

“Stay Home” Order Violation – 90 block of W. Long Lake – On April 8, officers were dispatched to a report of construction crews working allegedly in violation of the “stay home” order. Officers made contact with on scene staff who presented documents from the State of Michigan proving they had permission to work.

“Stay Home” Order Violation – 4333 John R – On April 11 at approximately 7:30 pm, officers responded to a call about people playing tennis at Athens High School. Subjects were advised to leave the school grounds and the officer placed police caution tape across the tennis court entrance.

“Stay Home” Order Violation – 6000 block of Rochester Road – On April 7, officers responded to a call about a non-essential business that was open. Officers responded to the cell phone store and spoke with the owner, who indicated that he was directed by his corporate office to open. He agreed to close right away and comply with the order.

Suspicious Circumstance – Mesa Drive – On April 5 at approximately 6:45 pm, an unknown male was reportedly driving around the neighborhood yelling that he has COVID-10, reportedly in an attempt to scare neighborhood kids. Caller reports that the subject has done this multiple times. Officers were unable to locate the vehicle.

“Stay Home” Order Violation – Troy Skate Park, 3179 Livernois – On April 3 at approximately 10:51 am, Troy officers were called to check on youths hanging out at the Skate Park. The officer advised the juveniles and they left without incident. The entrance gate to the park was locked.

“Stay Home” Order Violation – 2000 block of Teasdale – On April 2 at approximately 4:14 pm, a caller reported a social gathering happening in front of a home. An officer arrived and found about six neighbors talking. They were advised on social distancing and they left the location without incident.

 

Larceny from Auto

Larceny from Auto – 500 block of Kirts Boulevard – On April 12 between 11 am and 3 pm, an unknown suspect broke the passenger side window of the complainant’s car and stole his wallet.

Larceny from Auto – 700 block of Kirts Boulevard – Between 11 pm on April 11 and 1 pm on April 12, an unknown suspect broke the passenger side window of the complainant’s car and stole two $1 bills and two CD’s.

Larceny from Auto – 600 block of Kirts Boulevard – Between 10 pm on April 11 and 10 am on April 12, an unknown suspect broke the passenger side window of the complainant’s car and stole a bag of quarters.

Larceny from Auto – 900 block of Kirts – On April 7 between midnight and 4 am, an unknown suspect reportedly broke a window on a car and stole the victim’s purse.

Larceny from Auto – 2500 block of Athena – Between 4 pm on April 2 and 6 pm on April 3, an unknown suspect stole the catalytic converter from a 2003 Honda Accord parked on the street.

Larceny from Auto – 2300 block of Lovington – Between April 1 at 12:30 pm and April 2 at 12 pm, an unknown suspect stole the catalytic converter from a 2010 Ford Escape.

 

Operate While Intoxicated

Operate While Intoxicated – 1800 block of Hopedale – On April 12 at approximately 10:24 am, officers were dispatched to the area on report of a suspicious car on the street that was occupied by a woman that appeared to be “high on drugs.” While officers were en route to the area, the caller reported that the woman had tried to drive away and struck another car. When officers spoke with the woman, a 52 year old from Troy, she stated that she had “a lot” to drink. Officers conducted sobriety evaluations and the driver performed poorly. The driver submitted to a preliminary breath test and the results were .375. The driver was treated by Alliance Mobile Health paramedics due to her dangerous level of intoxication. She was transported to Troy Beaumont Hospital for treatment. At the hospital, the driver was read her Chemical Test Rights and she refused a blood test. A search warrant for her blood was obtained and executed. The driver is awaiting formal charges and arraignment. 20-10097

Operate While Intoxicated – Big Beaver and I-75 – At approximately 8 am on April 6, officers were dispatched to a vehicle crash where the involved parties were arguing. Officers made contact with the parties involved, including the passenger in a Ford Fusion. The passenger, a 28 year old male from Grand Rapids, began screaming and it became apparent that he was intoxicated. After interviewing numerous witnesses, officers were able to determine that the passenger had actually been driving when the crash happened. The other occupant of the vehicle indicated that they were staying at a local hotel celebrating a birthday and had left to go get some food when they got into the crash. The suspect was asked to perform sobriety evaluations and he performed poorly, including being unsteady on his feed and losing his balance. The suspect refused to take a preliminary breath test and was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. The suspect was read his Chemical Test Rights in the Troy PD lock up and refused to a blood test. Officers obtained a search warrant and Alliance Mobile Health drew the subject’s blood. The suspect awaits formal charges and arraignment. 20-9791

Operate While Intoxicated – 2300 block of Somerset – On April 3 at approximately 11:25 am, officers were sent to investigate a report of two apparently drunk men urinating in public and stumbling around after exiting a car. They received additional males that the two subjects and a woman got back into the car and took off. An officer found the car, a black Chevy Malibu, Kirts west of Crooks and observed it run a stop sign. Officer stopped the car and noted a strong odor of intoxicants coming from the driver. The officer asked the man to participate in sobriety evaluations and the driver stated, “If you want to take me, take me.” The driver stated he had been drinking Hennessy and last had a drink at about 8:30 am. The driver subsequently performed poorly on sobriety evaluations and took a preliminary breath test. The results were .259. The driver was arrested and later consented to a blood draw, which was conducted by Alliance Mobile health. The driver is awaiting formal charges and arraignment.

 

Retail Fraud

Retail Fraud 3^rd Degree – Kroger, 2105 W South Boulevard – Store loss prevention reports that an unknown man loaded up a cart with multiple cases of Red Bull then left without paying on April 7 at approximately 4:30 pm. The case remains under investigation. 20-9997

Retail Fraud 3^rd Degree – Kroger, 3125 John R – Store employees observed a man pushing a cart full of crab legs out of the store without paying for it. An employee approached him and asked for a receipt. The suspect indicated that was no problem and he would produce the receipt. The suspect then loaded up the boxes of crab legs and fled in a maroon Chrysler minivan. The value of the crab legs is approximately $500. The case is under investigation. 20-9794

 

Assault

Aggravated Assault – Stephenson Highway north of Maple Road – On April 11 at approximately 1:30 am, officers were dispatched to check on the welfare of man lying on the ground near a white Chevrolet SUV. Officers arrived and found the man, but the vehicle was gone. The man who stated he was OK, despite obvious signs that he was in pain. The man was unable to get up and walk, and officers located tire tracks consistent with a car leaving the roadway and striking the man. The man was treated by Alliance Mobile Health for a possible broken leg. The incident remains under investigation. 20-10043

 

Flee & Elude

Flee & Elude, Malicious Destruction of Property – Stephenson north of 14 Mile Road – On April 5 at approximately 4:27 am, officers were sent to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle at the Towne Place Suites at 325 Stephenson. Officers located the blue pickup truck, honking its horn consistently, in the back lot. Officers attempted to stop the truck and the driver kept going with the horn still going off incessantly.

The vehicle proceeded southbound on Stephenson Highway at a high rate of speed. As the driver crossed 14 Mile Road, officers terminated the pursuit. Officers were driving away from the scene when they saw the same truck now driving south in the northbound lanes of Stephenson. Officers observed the truck go back to the hotel and circle around the lot, driving now with a flat tire.

Several police cars surrounded the truck as it attempted to exit the lot, but the driver of the truck was able to drive off. The truck went west on 14 Mile Road from Stephenson, stopped in the road and the driver fled on foot.

The Royal Oak Police Department located the suspect on the roof of a garage on Genessee Street in Royal Oak wearing only underwear at approximately 7 am. The suspect, an 18 year old male from Fraser, was arrested and taken into custody and later turned over to the Troy Police.

The Troy officer initiated a driving while intoxicated investigation. The driver admitted to taking pills and drinking liquor. The driver was read his Chemical Test Rights and initially agreed to a blood test, but then changed his mind. Officer secured a search warrant and Alliance Mobile Health drew the suspect’s blood.

Once in a cell, the suspect contacted the control room several times and stated, “You need to open door and run as fast as you can.” The suspect reached through the meal port and tried to open the door. He later pulled down a light from the ceiling.

He was charged with Flee and Elude 4^th degree and Malicious Destruction of a Building less than $400 for the damage to the light. An Operate While Intoxicated warrant may be requested pending the results of the blood draw.

The suspect, Brenden Ray Graves, was arraigned on April 7 at 52-4 District Court and bond was set at $1000 personal bond.

Domestic/Family Troubles  

During this timeframe, officers responded to 17 incidents involving domestic disputes or family troubles during this reporting period. Investigation produced enough evidence that a crime of domestic assault was committed and five arrests were made. In the other incidents, officers were required to take action to either mediate the situation or otherwise keep the peace. The actions can include relocation of disputants, referrals to support agencies, peace keeping as well as detective and prosecutorial review.  

 

Welfare Checks  

During this timeframe, officers responded to 19 requests to check on the wellbeing of an individual. These incidents ranged from people experiencing emotional or psychological distress to requests to check on individuals that have not been heard from in a notable period of time.

 

Neighbor Troubles  

Officers responded to nine incidents involving neighbor troubles in which there were no reasons for formal enforcement action.

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• Troy Police Media Crime Report 4-14.pdf