Crack Cocaine Found on 'Begging' Suspects in Hartland

Two “begging” suspects claiming to be veterans with disabilities were found to be in possession of crack cocaine and were arrested in the parking lot of the Hartland Target, according to a report from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department. 

On April 7, police responded to a 911 call around 4 p.m. at the Hartland Kroger’s regarding a possible welfare check scam. Police say they were given information for a suspect driving a car with a disabled vet license plate.

Police say they found the car parked in a handicapped parking spot at the Hartland Target and observed two male suspects talking to a separate couple standing outside the vehicle and who, police say, appeared to be ready to give money to the two supsects. 

After approaching the vehicle, police say the driver, age 51, was asked to exit the car while the passenger, age 48, remained inside. While speaking to the suspects separately, the passenger told police he had never served in the military but was friends with the driver of the car.

According to the report, the driver told police he didn’t know the passenger and was only driving him because he volunteered his time to drive veterans home from the VA hospital in Detroit.

The two suspects told police they were able to get a free half tank of gas from a customer at the Hartland Speedway and had also approached people in their cars at Kroger's asking for money for food.

Eventually, police say the passenger suspect revealed he had a hidden crack pipe concealed in his shoe which he handed over to police.

A K9 unit was brought to the scene but, according to the report, the driver told police where to find a second crack pipe hidden in the driver’s side door pocket, which police recovered. 

Both suspects were arrested and face charges of possession of crack cocaine and outstanding warrants and transported without incident, according to the report.