Trail Leads Cops to Culprits in Gun Store Break-in Attempt

It’s no secret that when it comes to criminal behavior, the common perpetrator is far from the sharpest tool in the shed, so to speak. Last week, a couple of less-than-brilliant, would-be gun store burglars in a Detroit suburb not only botched their planned firearms heist, but also led authorities directly to their hiding place by leaving a clear, weather-assisted trail to follow.

Police in Roseville, MI, reported that three individuals allegedly smashed the front door glass of Peters Indoor Range and Gun Shop on Gratiot Ave. around 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 15.  Using their pickup truck, the trio then attempted to use a tow strap to remove the bars from the door.

Not only were the culprits unsuccessful in their attempt to gain entrance to the gun shop building, but they also managed to get their 2006 Dodge pickup truck hopelessly stuck in the snow.

So they left their truck behind and fled the scene on foot.

Responding to the burglar alarm, Roseville officers Michael Saier and Lauren Brockman discovered the disabled truck and embarked on what became about a two-hour visual tracking task, thanks to the fresh snow on the ground. According to the Southgate News-Herald, with assistance from other officers, police located the suspects precisely where the snowy trail led them: to a home in suburban St. Clair Shores.

Roseville Deputy Police Chief Donald Glandon said the two, ages 17 and 19, both residents of Detroit, were placed under arrest and were expected to be arraigned in the 39th District Court, pending warrants from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.

A third suspect remained at large Dec. 16.