Police Blotter: Vehicle Break-ins, Counterfeit Bill, Kitchen Fire

Bloomfield Township

Bloomfield Township police investigated two larceny from auto complaints last week, including one in which the front window of a vehicle was smashed to gain entry.

Officers responded to the Bally’s Total Fitness when a patron reported discovering their vehicle damaged just before 8 p.m. July 15, reports said. The passenger side window was completely smashed in and a purse containing cash and credit cards were taken. The theft occurred sometime between 6:15-7:50 p.m. Investigators learned one of the cards was used in Southfield shortly after the theft, but no suspect information was available.

Officers also responded to a larceny complaint in the 800 block of Great Oaks Drive on July 19, report said. Someone entered an unlocked vehicle parked in a private driveway and took a GPS system, an iPod Touch and sunglasses, reports said. No suspect information was available.

Authorities reiterate the importance of locking vehicle doors and removing all valuables from inside whenever possible.

Counterfeit bill passed

Bloomfield Township police officers responded to Piepers Pies, 43119 Woodward Ave., after a customer passed a bogus $50 bill on July 15, police reports said.  The counterfeit bill looked authentic and was passed to make a food purchase sometime between 1-2 p.m. No suspect descriptions were available.

Vehicle theft investigated

A car was stolen from the driveway of a home on Westmoor Road on July 15, according to reports. The 2007 Volkswagen Jetta was taken sometime during the early morning hours. No further details were available. 

Anyone with information on any of the incidents described above can contact the department’s investigations division at 248-433-7752.

Bloomfield Hills

Smoke detectors and a quick response from firefighters stopped a kitchen fire from causing extensive damage to a home on Manorwood Drive on July 20, officials said.

Members of the Bloomfield Hills Department of Public Safety responded to the home and found smoke and flames visible through the windows, Lt. Terence McDonnell said. They quickly extinguished the blaze, which had spread to counter and wall area near the stove. Investigators determined a burner was accidentally left on and ignited materials on the counter.

Damage was limited to a small area of the kitchen, but there was smoke damage throughout the home, a report said. No damage estimate was available.

"If not for the presence of a functioning fire alarm and the fast response of departmental personnel, the loss could have been much greater," McDonnell said.

Department officials indicated they did not have any significant arrests or crimes occur within the city over the past two weeks.

For questions about this blotter, email Art.Aisner@Patch.com.