Man breaks into Southfield home, steals arsenal of weapons

Stolen guns remain unaccounted for, police say

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Police in Southfield are looking for a man who forced his way into a house and stole an arsenal of weapons from a homeowner, officers said Friday.

The guns were taken during a home invasion Tuesday night.

Neighbors called police after seeing the thief run off with his arms and backpack filled with weapons.

Officers recovered some of the guns near 9 Mile and Berg roads, but some firearms are still considered stolen.

Investigators found a duffel bag, long guns and some other stolen items at the intersection, according to the Southfield Police Department.

Still, officials believe several pistols, rifles and a shotgun might be on the streets.

All was quiet in Southfield on Friday, but people said on Tuesday morning, they saw a man lurking in the area of 9 Mile and Berg roads.

“Yeah, he looks like a child,” one person said.

It’s unclear how old the burglar might be, but Southfield police are actively seeking him. His face was caught on a surveillance camera. He appears to be carrying a pistol case as well, officials said.

“It’s unsettling,” a Southfield resident said. “I’ve been out here 15 years, and nothing like this has ever happened in this neighborhood. We’re pretty close and watch out for one another.”

Sandra Samuels wasn’t home at the time of the burglary, but questioned how the man would have known what was inside the house.

“What did he come there for?” Samuels asked. “Evidently, he knew there was that in the house.” 

The fact that so many firearms were taken seemed startling to some.

“That is a lot of weapons,” another person said. “It doesn’t take all of that to protect your home.”

Officers were unable to catch the man following the burglary. He avoided police by running through several neighboring yards, and that’s when he apparently lost some of the guns.

K-9s tried tracking him, as well.

Police insisted they found all the dropped weapons, but some of the guns the man got away with may remain on the streets. A stolen .45-caliber Ruger pistol (unknown serial number), a .22-caliber rifle; and a .410-gauge shotgun are still unaccounted for, police said.

The burglar wore a multicolored hockey/Halloween-type mask at the time of the incident, police said in a Facebook post.

Anyone with information or who recognizes the man is asked to call 248-796-5392.