TROY, MICHIGAN (WLIO) - Six people have been arrested in Michigan for a series of smash and grabs at mall jewelry stores, and they also may be responsible for the one at the Lima Mall last month.
The Troy Police Department in Michigan says five men and one woman were captured after a smash-and-grab at the Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Officers were able to track a rental vehicle used in the crime to the mall and captured them after four men wearing surgical masks and hoodies smashed open display cases with hammers and took over $170,000 worth of jewelry. Two others in the vehicle were also arrested.
Troy police officers say this group is allegedly responsible for 6 smash and grabs that they know of, three in Michigan and three in Ohio. The three in Michigan happened between January 13 through the 24, when they were arrested.
The crimes are similar to the incident on January 9th at the KAY Jewelers at the Lima Mall, where four Black men used hammers to smash display cases and steal jewelry. One of them pulled a gun on the security guard who was chasing them before they got in a vehicle and sped away. The Allen County Sheriff's Office is aware of these arrests and is working with other law enforcement agencies because of the similarity to the Lima smash-and-grab.
February 1, 2024 Press Release from the Troy Police Department: On 1/13/24 there was a smash and grab robbery at the Helzberg Diamonds in the Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Auburn Hills. Three black males wearing hoodies and surgical masks entered the store, smashed out the cases and stole several thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry.
A suspect vehicle was identified that registered to a rental company. Subsequently, the renter was also identified. A short time later that vehicle was returned to a Lansing rental location, and a new vehicle was rented.
On 1/22/24 Troy SIU was notified by the Lansing Mall of a smash and grab at their Kay Jewelers. Follow up by Eaton County Sheriff’s Office determined the getaway vehicle from the theft was the newly rented vehicle. Further investigation concluded this same group was responsible for a total of six robberies in Michigan and Ohio.
On 1/24/24 the new rental vehicle was located and surveillance was initiated. The vehicle travelled to Sterling Heights at which point Sterling Heights PD, Shelby Twp. PD and Troy PD Directed Patrol Officers were contacted and requested to assist. The vehicle entered the Lakeside Mall parking lot in Sterling Heights and began to circle the lot with another vehicle that was stolen from Harper Woods on 1/16/24. At approximately 2pm, four black males got out of the vehicle and went inside Lakeside Mall, leaving two individuals outside. All four were wearing hoods and surgical masks. After a few minutes of scouting, the four entered the Sparkles Jewelry store near center court and immediately began smashing out cases. After grabbing what they could carry, they all fled on foot in various directions, but were quickly apprehended by officers on scene. All six suspects were transported directly to Macomb County Jail. Approximately $170,000 worth of jewelry was stolen/recovered.
The Troy Police Department credits the exceptional effort of the Troy Special Investigations Unit for this complex investigation and arrests. The Special Investigations Unit is comprised of officers from the Auburn Hills Police Department, Birmingham Police Department, Bloomfield Township Police Department, Royal Oak Police Department, and Troy Police Department. These investigators work together in a collaborative, multi-jurisdictional unit that investigates criminal activity impacting the region.
We would also like to recognize the collaborative efforts of the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office, the Sterling Heights Community Response Unit and the Shelby Township Police Surveillance Unit.
