An alert Springfield Township resident and fast action by sheriff deputies led to Monday’s arraignment of two men suspected of multiple burglaries in at least two townships over the past two weeks.
Lucas Daniel Burnett, 25, of Davison, and Christopher Robert Reid, 19, of Clarkston face a combined 15 charges of home invasion, and were taken back to the Oakland County Jail after 52-2 District Judge Dana Fortinberry set bond at $4.5 million for Burnett and $4 million for Reid.
Burnett was charged with two counts of first degree home invasion (a 20-year felony) and six counts of second degree home invasion (a 15-year felony). Reid was charged with one count of first degree home invasion and six counts of second degree home invasion.
First degree home invasion carries the larger potential sentence because it involves entry when someone is at home.
Both are scheduled to return to court on April 18 for a preliminary examination.
The men allegedly entered a Softwater Woods Drive home at about 12:50 p.m. on March 31, only to be met by a resident.
‘They weren’t expecting her to be home,? said Sgt. Mark Gardner, commander of the Springfield Township substation of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspects ran, but the woman had already called 9-1-1 and was able to give a good physical description of the suspects.
?[The resident] did a very nice job,? Gardner said, also giving credit to a K-9 unit and a sheriff helicopter for help in apprehending the suspects. ‘This was the ultimate team effort.?
Thanks to the K-9 track, Burnett was found hiding under a tree in an adjoining yard, Gardner said. Reports from Independence Township deputies said the helicopter unit saw Reid get into a truck parked at the nearby Park and Ride lot near Dixie Highway. Road units pulled that vehicle over near White Lake Road.
Interviews conducted by Gardner and Independence Township Detective Jerry DeRosia produced confessions in connection with three Springfield Township incidents and four Independence Township break-ins dating back to March 27.
Gardner said detectives are investigating the suspects? connection to incidents in at least two other communities. All the break-ins shared similar features, including daytime occurrence and the theft of items such as jewelry.
Investigators found a significant amount of stolen items in the suspects? possession, Gardner said, and investigators this week continued their inventory to match items with specific cases.