Police Department Issues Fireworks Safety Reminder

Chief Rick Aro has a reminder for Fourth of July revelers: The cutoff time for fireworks being lit is no later than 11 p.m. In addition, Aro said fireworks that "bang" or leave the ground can't be discharged on public property or on private property without the permission of the private property owner.

It's a safety message for those purchasing fireworks from the two outdoor tents along Silver Parkway, since people will be gathering along Silver Parkway to watch the Fenton Freedom Festival fireworks display, he said.

Flint woman robbed Wal-Mart to pay car insurance bill, police say

A Flint woman, 54, was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of stealing $476 in groceries from on Owen Road in Fenton to pay her car insurance bill, said Police Chief Rick Aro. Police received the call at 2:25 p.m., and an officer arrived at the store in less than 2 minutes.

The officer stopped a light-colored Chevrolet Impala that fit the description of a Walmart security employee, Aro said. The officer saw three 30-packs of beer in the back of the car, which neither the suspect nor her passenger, also a Flint woman, were able to produce a store receipt for.

The remainder of the $476 in grocery items were in the vehicle's trunk, police said. The officer returned the stolen items to the store, and the suspect spent the night in the Fenton lockup.

Investigation revealed the passenger gave the woman money for the groceries, but the suspect stole them from the store and was going to use the money to pay for her car insurance, Aro said.