Bloomfield Hills police: Crime spree suspect's undoing was flat tire

Man suspected of breaking into homes, stealing items; flat tire proves to be his undoing

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – Bloomfield Hills police say they have arrested a burglar whose brief crime spree began and ended with car trouble.

At 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, the man was driving a car that ran out of gas at Squirrel Road and Wattles Road in Bloomfield Township. Leaving two companions behind, the man walked into nearby Bloomfield Hills. He tried to break into three occupied homes.

"I would say his performance was brazen," said Bloomfield Hills Police Chief Dave Hendrickson.

The man stole jewelry and a Lincoln Navigator from one of the homes. He eluded police dogs and a perimeter set up in the neighborhood, but didn't remain free for long.

"His undoing was, he has a flat tire and was driving on a rim. He was stopped by Lathrup Village Police," said Hendrickson.

The 21-year-old defendant from Detroit is charged with car theft and home invasion. He will be arraigned Friday.

The two people who were left in the car with the flat tire are not being charged.