Still No Suspects in Bus Vandalism; New Law Makes Lying to Police Illegal

Police highlights for April 17-24 in the West Bloomfield area include the following:

Police still investigating bus vandalism incidents

Orchard Lake Police are still working to answer the question of who has been damaging buses at the West Bloomfield Schools transportation building at 3340 Orchard Lake Rd., just north of , as recently as last week.

Detective Darrell Betts said Tuesday that the interview process for any possible suspects for those actions that forced and has yet to begin. Police have been working with district officials who found surveillance tape of the incidents on both occasions.

Eighteen buses were damaged out of the 58 the district currently operates in both incidents.

West Bloomfield Police 'happy' with new law against lying

Lt. Mike Turner of the commented Tuesday on a new state law signed April 18 that makes lying to police a felony offense.

"That’s a great start for law enforcement, investigation-wise, because it’ll be something we can show (suspects) — that if they’re not going to come forward, this is a pretty serious charge. We’re happy with it," he said.

"I wish it covered everything, like narcotics violations, but this is a good foot in the door in application of speaking with suspects."

Based on the severity of the crime being investigated, including misdemeanors and felonies, violators could face penalties of up to two years in prison. The law does not prohibit a person from exercising his right to silence.

The bill was introduced last October by Rep. John Walsh (R-Livonia) and passed the state House and Senate by wide margins, including yea votes from all of West Bloomfield's representatives.

"This closes a loophole in Michigan law that allowed someone to protect a suspect in a crime by misleading police investigators," Walsh said in a news release.

Police investigate stolen purse

West Bloomfield Police are investigating a case of a stolen purse from an unlocked vehicle at the on April 17, Turner said.

According to reports, someone entered the vehicle of a 49-year-old West Bloomfield woman between 9-9:15 a.m. and took the purse from the front passenger seat without doing damage. The purse was later found, missing $350, in a neighborhood nearby, according to reports.