Sparks Flew, Black Smoke Rolled from Engine in Drunken Driving Stop: Troy Police

Troy, MI — Troy police responded to 200 calls from Sunday and Monday, according to a media release, including the following:

Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated

Eastbound Metropolitan Parkway, West of Mound Road, 1:08 a.m. Sunday: Officers received numerous reports of a vehicle being driving erratically on Eastbound E. Big Beaver Road.  The vehicle, a green 2002 Chrysler Town and Country, was spotted and a traffic stop was initiated.  The vehicle had sparks coming from the passenger side wheel well, black smoke was coming from under the hood, and the muffler was dragging under the vehicle.  

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Officers approached the vehicle and spoke with the driver, a 29 year old woman from Shelby Township, and noted an odor of alcohol emanating from inside the vehicle, according to the report.  She performed "poorly" on several sobriety evaluations, police said.

She was arrested and while searching her vehicle, officers located two containers that were open and contained alcohol.  She was transported to the lock-up facility where she submitted to a chemical test with a result of .27 percent.  She was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol – 2nd Offense and Transporting an Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle. 

Southbound John R Road, South of E. Big Beaver Road, 1:49 am. Sunday: Officer initiated a traffic stop on a black 2013 Dodge Journey for a traffic violation. The officer spoke with the driver, a 51-year-old woman from Sterling Heights, who was unable to provide an operator’s license, police said.

Police said the woman admitted she shouldn't have been driving because she had too much to drink. She was asked to perform several sobriety evaluations, and the officer noted that she performed poorly, according to the report. She refused to submit to a preliminary breath test and was arrested. 

It was later determined that her driver's license had been suspended, and she  She was transported to the lock-up facility where she refused to submit to a chemical test, police said.  A search warrant for a blood draw was written and signed by the local magistrate. She was charged with Driving While License Suspended – 2nd Offense and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol – 1st Offense pending laboratory results.

Trespassing

Suburban Volvo, 1795 Maplelawn Drive, 10:32 p.m. Sunday: Officers observed a burgundy 2002 Dodge Caravan enter the business property which had been at the location earlier and was banned from being there. Officers observed the occupants at the used tire bin and believed they were stealing tires, according to the report.  

The occupants were stopped by the officers as they investigated for criminal activity.  One of the subjects, a 62-year-old  man from Detroit, was arrested and charged with trespassing and obstruction of a police officer. A second subject, a 30-year-old man also from Detroit, was arrested and charged with trespassing, obstruction of a police officer, and malicious destruction of property – private property.  

Drugs/Narcotics of Interest 

Northbound Stephenson Highway, South of Rochester Road, 2:24 p.m. Monday: Officer initiated a traffic stop on a green 2000 Buick Century for a traffic violation. The officer spoke with the driver, a 24-year-old woman from Detroit, and noted the driver had neither a valid driver's license on her person nor proof of valid insurance for the vehicle.  

When the officer checked her status, it was discovered that she had six traffic warrants out of Detroit, a failure to appear bench warrant for third-degree retail fraud out of the 28th District Court – Southgate, and a felony warrant for shoplifting / organized crime out of the 41-A District Court – Shelby Township.  

She was arrested and while searching her purse, the officer located bag containing marijuana. The woman was charged with operator’s license never acquired, no vehicle insurance, and possession of marijuana.

Malicious Destruction of Property

Kilmer Street, 6:30 p.m. Sunday:  Victim discovered an unknown symbol spray-painted on his garage and vulgarity on his lawn.  he victim and his teenage child were unable to provide any possible suspects. 

Credit, Check, Identity Theft, Other Fraud

Sak’s Fifth Avenue, 2901 W. Big Beaver Road, 3:50 p.m. Monday:  Two subjects came into the business to pick-up a merchandise that was ordered over the phone. The male subject purchased merchandise that was valued at $589.89 and produced a credit card from the United Kingdom.  After the transaction was completed, the male subject handed the purchase to the female subject and walked to another department requesting other merchandise that was ordered over the phone.  

Police said that because it was odd that the subject did not request both orders at the same time, store security requested the next salesperson, to verify the customer’s identification.  The subject produced a driver's license issued to a 20-year-old Detroit man.

Because the credit card was from the United Kingdom, security officers believed the subjects were committing a fraud, police said.  The purchase was denied and the subjects left the business.  

The female subject is described as being 20 years old, 5 feet, 2 inches to 5 feet, 6 inches, and weighing about 200 pounds. 

The responding officer was unable to determine at this time if a fraud was committed but the investigation continues.