Police: Former CVS Employee May Have Played Daily 4 Without Paying

Among the highlights of recent West Bloomfield Township Police Department:

CVS claims that former employee stole lottery tickets

West Bloomfield Police are investigating a claim made by the CVS Pharmacy that a former employee embezzled $10,000 worth of lottery tickets, according to Lt. Tim Diamond.

The employee, a 45-year-old man from West Bloomfield, has been fired from the store on Haggerty Road.

"The suspect apparently had been playing the Daily 4 Michigan State Lottery without paying for the tickets at that location, as well as one in Belleville," Diamond said.

CVS believes that $10,000 in lottery proceeds are missing from the two locations in thefts, from as far back as March.

According to Diamond, the suspect has been cooperative with the investigation.

Elderly man accidentally shoots own finger

A 74-year-old man from West Bloomfield told dispatchers Sept. 13 that he had accidentally shot his own finger, according to Diamond.

Police took the gun, a Smith and Wesson .357, away from the man for safekeeping after the incident, which occurred at about 2 p.m. in the 1700 block of Henbert.

Diamond said that the man had been handling the gun in his home when it accidentally went off, adding that he did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and will not face charges.

Car stolen

Police are investigating a report of a car stolen from a parking lot in the Green Farms Condominium complex, sometime during the night between Sept. 16-17, according to Diamond.

The car, a 2002 Audi A4, painted tan, was parked in a lot on the 7000 block of Sauterne Street when a witness noticed a suspicious tow truck, painted white, parked nearby on the night the incident occurred. 

Police do not know if the tow truck was involved in the incident, and the vehicle's owner claims to be completely up-to-date on any and all payments for the vehicle, according to Diamond. Police have no suspects.

Boat stolen

Police are investigating a report of a boat stolen from a launch on Upper Straits Lake sometime on the night of Sept. 9, according to Diamond.

The 1972 Wards 12-foot boat, made of aluminum, was last seen at the launch on Welland Drive and Manderson Terrace. Diamond added that a special feature of the boat is two swivel chairs built in to it.

Police have no suspects.

Shoplifting from Whole Foods

A 35-year-old woman from Commerce was given a misdemeanor citation and released at the scene of a retail fraud incident Sept. 18 at about 1 p.m.

Diamond said that a loss prevention officer at Whole Foods Market watched the woman place items, including cough syrup and soap, totaling $15, in her purse and attempt to leave the store. When confronted, Diamond said, she admitted to taking the items, and police were called to the scene.

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