STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – The Local 4 Defenders have learned Detroit authorities made two arrests Tuesday morning in connection with what has been dubbed the 'Backpage' murders.
Multiple sources tell the Local 4 Defenders this is a major break in the case.
One of the men was arrested as he drove down Mound Road in Warren.
Images: Police search Sterling Heights home
While police talked with the two persons of interest, crime scene investigators closely examined a suburban home near the area of 18 Mile and Mound Roads. A detective on the case tells the Local 4 Defenders 5 cars full of evidence were collected, including clothing and computers.
--Home searched by police near 18 Mile and Mound Roads
The neighborhood is described as being very upscale, with homes averaging between 2,500 and 3,000 square feet.
The case is being handled by the Michigan State Police, The Detroit Police Homicide Division, the Violent Gang Task Force and the Sterling Heights Police Department.
History of the case
In December 2011, the bodies of four women were found in the trunks of cars just blocks apart in Detroit. Police are not sure where the women had been murdered.
Police said three of the four victims had placed escort service ads on Backpage.com.
Attorneys general for 45 states had previously raised concerns about how the site polices ads for adult services.
About Backpage.com
Backpage.com, like craigslist.com, is an Internet bulletin board with listings for everything from child care to auto parts and forums on numerous topics. Craigslist.com took down its "adult services" section after several widely publicized cases, including the so-called "Craigslist Killer" case, in which Phillip Markoff was charged with the armed robbery and murder of a masseuse he had hired through the web site, and the armed robbery of two other women he also found through the site. Markoff committed suicide in jail awaiting trial.