Man Headed Back to Prison in Theft of TVs from Senior Complexes

A Dearborn Heights man could spend a decade in prison after admitting he stole television sets from senior living complexes in Westland on three occasions this past summer.

Rodney Vansean Thomas, 40, was sentenced to 18 months to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to three felony counts of breaking and entering, Hometownlife.com reports.

He also was charged as a habitual offender. According to Michigan Department of Corrections records, Thomas was released from prison in August 2013 after serving nearly 20 years for second-degree murder and felony firearms convictions

Thomas admitted in his plea that he stole an 80-inch wall-mounted television from Westgate Tower Senior Complex, 34567 Elmwood, on June 24; a 60-inch flat-screen television from Greenwood Villa Senior Apartments, 7600 Nankin Blvd., on July 20; and two televisions from Our Savior’s Manor, 29495 Annapolis.

According to police, television thefts were also reported at the Walton Woods complex in Canton and the National Church Residences in Harper Woods.

Thomas was identified through tips from the public after surveillance photos were released on social media.

» Michigan Department of Corrections photo