By C.J. Carnacchio
Leader Editor
A 17-year-old Oakland Township man is facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing vehicles in Addison and Orion townships along with Lake Orion Village.
Kristian Allen Jones was arraigned last week in Rochester Hills 52-3 District Court on three counts of unlawfully driving away an automobile (UDAA), a five-year felony.
He was arraigned July 22 on one of the counts and his bond set at $15,000. Jones was arraigned July 24 on the other two counts and bond was set at $25,000 or 10 percent. He posted bond and was released from the Oakland County Jail.
Jones was arrested July 20 in Oxford by village Police Officer Dave Churchill after he allegedly stole cigarettes and a glass bong from a retail store in the Oxford Marketplace shopping center. He allegedly fled the scene on foot with the store manager chasing him and other citizens attempting to assist in his capture.
Law enforcement officers had been looking for Jones prior to this incident.
According to Det. Terry Somerville, who’s assigned to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Auto Theft Unit, Jones stole a 2011 Jeep from Hemlock Dr. in Addison on July 16; a 2013 Ford Focus from High Pointe Ridge Rd. in Orion Township on July 12; and a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix from S. Slater St. in Lake Orion on July 20.
Somerville said Jones confessed to stealing all three vehicles when interviewed.
‘He admitted that he’d been doing a lot of car-hopping,? the detective said.
Somerville said Jones explained he steals things from vehicles to pay for food, drives them around and sleeps in them.
‘He claims to be homeless,? the detective said. ‘That’s his explanation (as to) why he’s doing what he’s doing.?
The Oakland Township address listed for him is the home of his parents. The detective said Jones indicated he doesn’t get along with them and that’s why he’s not living there.
All three vehicles were recovered in Oxford and Addison.
‘I don’t think he ever left the area,? Somerville said. ‘He steals these cars, but he’s still driving around Oxford, still driving them around Orion where he stole them from.?
For example, the Grand Prix was found parked in the Oxford Marketplace lot following Jones? arrest. According to the Oxford Village Police report, Jones threw a set of car keys as he was being chased. It was recovered by the store manager.
Using the key fob remote control, officers located the Grand Prix, which belongs to an 84-year-old Lake Orion man.
Jones is ‘not a normal? car thief, according to Somerville. ‘Most of our car guys are stripping them or re-tagging them, getting bogus titles and trying to sell them,? he said. ‘He’s not worked his way up to that yet.?
Somerville noted Jones was able to easily drive off in these vehicles because all three had keys inside them and at least two of them were unlocked.
In a press release, Lake Orion Police explained the Grand Prix owner left his windows rolled down due to the heat and had accidentally dropped his car keys as he was exiting the car.
The vehicles allegedly stolen in Addison and Lake Orion were recovered without any damage, however the Ford Focus from Orion Township was involved in a single-vehicle accident that ‘probably totalled? it, according to Somerville.
Jones allegedly loaned the Focus to two young teens who allegedly took it for a joyride.
‘Apparently, he had left it with them (so he could) stay at this party,? said Somerville, who indicated the teens were unaware it was stolen.
Somerville said they proceeded to crash it off Wildcat Drive, the private road that runs between Oxford Middle School and Lakeville Elementary. ‘They hit a big curb? while traveling ‘at a high rate of speed,? then ‘smashed? into some trees and bushes, the detective said.
Following the accident, they apparently fled the scene because no one was around when the vehicle was found, according to the detective, who added the driver was 14 years old and doesn’t have a license.
In addition to the UDAA charges, Jones is also facing previous charges for disorderly conduct, trespassing and minor in possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 4.