2 teens linked to rash of burglaries in Ypsilanti Township

16-year-old, 13-year-old accused of stealing from homes in West Willow neighborhood

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Two teens could be facing charges for a rash of burglaries in one Ypsilanti Township neighborhood.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office says the 16-year-old and 13-year-old have been linked to at least six burglaries in the West Willow neighborhood.  

Investigators zeroed in on them after a break-in Monday in the 1900 block of Chevrolet in Ypsilanti Township. Investigators said they found stolen items, including guns, at one of the suspect's homes.

"My Glock had been sold. The kids who stole it sold it to somebody who in turn sold it to somebody else who sold it to somebody else. The Sheriff's Department did an outstanding job," said Jerry Masse, who was among the break-in victims.

Most of the weapons, the computers and cameras stolen were recovered as the Sheriff's Office fanned out across the quiet neighborhood. It did not take long to find the teens with the stolen loot, police say.

Masse said his wife found their dog, a Chihuahua named Pepper, bloody and battered and hiding in a closet.

"I mean, come one, you're 13 and 16 years old. You got no business in my house anyway. Don't kick my dog," said Masse.

In all, police say the teens confessed to a half dozen recent robberies. The Sheriff's Department says the 13-year-old was arrested this time last year for breaking into homes.

The case will be forwarded to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office for review.