Meijer cashier charged with embezzlement
A Meijer cashier with a criminal history was charged with embezzlement Tuesday after police say he was caught taking money from his cash register after prior shortages were reported.
Police were called to the store, 5150 Coolidge Highway, on Sept. 18 by loss prevention workers. They told police they were watching the suspect, James Jeter, 64, of Southfield, because he previously had cash shortages from his drawer.
Loss prevention employees told police they watched the suspect on camera as he took a $100 bill from his cash drawer during a customer transaction and the bill on his person.
Jeter was called into the office and surreptitiously dropped the bill on the floor, police said.
When confronted he admitted taking money in the past, police said, and stole $350 before he was caught.
Police discovered the suspect was wanted on warrants for embezzlement in Sterling Heights, and larceny in Wayne County Circuit Court.
His criminal history includes an earlier conviction for felony larceny.
Jeter remains in Oakland County jail on a $2,500, 10 percent, bond set at his arraignment in Royal Oak 44th District Court.
Drunken hit-and-run driver tries to push his car home
A Royal Oak man tried to push his car home after police say he hit three vehicles on the street in his neighborhood Sept. 21.
Police got multiple calls about 1:20 a.m. from people reporting the hit-and-run incidents near Hudson and Wyandotte streets.
Officers arrived and found the suspect, 39, pushing his car to his driveway in the 1300 block of Wyandotte.
Police said the man was intoxicated. He told police he was on his way home from the bar and had too much to drink.
He apparently kept his sense of humor when officers questioned him near his house.
When asked if he knew what time it was, he replied: “Bedtime,” police said.
Police are waiting on results from the man’s blood test before he can be charged.
Salvation Army window vandalized
Someone smashed a large window on the front of the Salvation Army Thrift Store, 114 E. Fourth Street.
Police were called there after employees first saw the damage Sept. 18.
The window appeared to have been struck with an oblong object, causing $1,000 in damage.
Police found a large amount of broken glass on the sidewalk. The city’s Department of Public Works boarded up the broken window and the store’s manager was called.
Catalytic converters stolen at Oakland Tech Campus
A crew of catalytic converter thieves struck the Oakland Schools Tech Center campus for high schoolers in broad daylight Sept. 20.
Three vehicle owners told police they discovered their converters had been stolen when they started their cars between 2:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
“This was unusual to have these thefts during the day,” said Royal Oak police Lt. Albert Carter. “Usually, catalytic converters are stolen during the night.”
Man finds car stolen after workout
A Royal Oak man called police after he worked out at the Planet Fitness gym, 2560 Crooks Road on Sept. 20.
The man, 62, told police he put his car keys in an unlocked gym locker and found them gone when he returned at 1:30 p.m.
He left his wallet in his Buick Enclave, but discovered the vehicle had been stolen while he was working out.
Police said they are waiting to get surveillance video from cameras at the gym as they try to identify a suspect.
-Mike McConnell, Tribune staff writer
