Police: Husband of Shoplifter Punches Officer

 reports from Aug. 7-13 included 65 alarms, 20 crashes and 11 arrests. Among the highlights:

Police: Husband of shoplifter punches officer

A 62-year-old, West Bloomfield man assaulted a loss prevention officer at Aug. 7 and sped away through the parking lot of Gateway Plaza after his wife was seen shoplifting grocery items, according to a report.

The couple were were cited at their home on Tamerlane Drive on the day of the incident, which took place around 2:15 p.m., Lt. Mike Turner said. The 66-year-old woman was seen on camera placing about $50 worth of produce in her purse before attempting to leave the store without paying, Turner continued.

When confronted by the loss prevention officer, a 43-year-old man from Romulus, the woman's husband approached and struck the officer twice on the chest with a fist, Turner said. The couple, who were seen by witnesses babysitting a young boy in the parking lot prior to the incident, then sped through the parking lot en route to southbound Orchard Lake Road in a white, Chevrolet Trailblazer, according to the report.

The officer did not require medical attention, the report continued.

Rash of vehicle break-ins

At least eight vehicles were reported broken into over the weekend in the area of Circle Drive, according to reports. Items taken included GPS units, MP3 players, and in one incident, a large supply of plumbing equipment.

Police have no suspects or leads, according to Lt. Mike Turner, although a rash of thefts from cars parked in neighborhood streets and driveways is not uncommon during this time of year due to summer vacation.

"We get a half dozen or so of these groups every spring and summer and normally it's kids, but you never know," Turner said. "Most of these cases are unlocked vehicles with items in sight — people should know to put the GPS and the phones and any valuable out of sight. A lot of times thieves won't go to a car if it's cleaned up."

Prowler arrested on Colony Drive

A 35-year-old man from Davison was arrested in the early morning hours of Aug. 9, and faces prowling charges after he was reported to have been  for allegedly pulling on locked doors of two homes on Colony Drive, according to a report. 

A 75-year-old West Bloomfield man told police he was rousted out of bed at about 1:15 a.m. when he heard someone banging on his front door and soon saw the suspect crossing the street to his neighbor's home, the report continued. The suspect was seen walking around to the unlit, back door of the reporting person's home and attempted to enter before police were called, according to the report.

The Davison man later submitted to a preliminary breath test and blew 0.12, which is over the legal driving limit in Michigan, according to a report. He was arrested and released that morning on $100 bond.

If you have any information about this incident, you can call West Bloomfield Police at (248) 975-9200. For questions about this report, email tim.rath@patch.com.