On July 19, Michigan State Troopers from Groveland Township responded to a foreclosed home on Jossman Road.
The former owner met the troopers at the home and reported that items in the house totalling about $5,000 were stolen from the vacant home.
The previous owners said the home was foreclosed on about a year ago and sold at a sheriff’s auction six months later.
With foreclosed property spiking in area townships, the prevalence of abandon homes continues to rise. Personal items left behind in the homes along with materials in the home from pipes to siding to appliances have been reported stolen on several occasions, according to area law enforcement.
‘Such criminal actions can be avoided,? said Sgt. Pete Burkett, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Brandon Substation. ‘Banks, neighbors and owners need to notify the substation when a home is abandoned due to any reason whether for an extended vacation or foreclosure.?
Last fall, Brandon deputies reported piping removed from a foreclosed township home. The thieves were arrested after neighbors reported suspicious behavior and pipes stacked outside the home.
‘The only way we know the home is abandoned is if someone lets us know. We will do a house check on the property’we assign the deputy an address to drive by at least three times per 24 hours during that deputy’s shift.?