Troy Police Arrest Two Suspects in Realtor Open House Larcenies
(Troy Police Press Release, Nov. 9, 2014)
Troy Police Investigators have arrested two suspects in connection with numerous realtor open house larcenies where predominantly credit cards were taken. Troy Police investigators were assisted by investigators from Sterling Heights and Royal Oak Police Departments. Charles William Frazier, age 39 from Detroit and Durand Laurent Micheau, age 44 from Detroit are suspected in open house thefts from June through October throughout 15 communities in three different counties. The suspects would commit the crimes with one of the suspects distracting them the realtor, while the other suspect committed the theft. Typically, one of the suspects would coerce the realtor outside to look at the back yard, property line or down to the basement under the ruse of looking at the furnace while the second suspect would steal a wallet containing money and credit cards. In some of the open houses, homeowner’s unsecured valuables such as jewelry were also taken.
Durand Laurent Micheau was arraigned at 52-4 District Court in Troy on November 1, 2014 before Magistrate Clement J. Waldmann and charged with:
~Two counts of “Larceny in a Building”
~Two counts of “Fraudulent use of a Financial Transaction Device”
Micheau was given a $100,000 cash or surety bond. He appeared on November 4, 2014 before Judge Kirsten Nielsen Hartig of the 52-4 District Court for a preliminary exam.
Charles William Frazier was arraigned at 52-4 District Court on November 6, 2014 before Magistrate Donald R. Chisolm on one charge of “Fraudulent Use of a Financial Transaction Device.” Bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety and the next court date is scheduled for November 12, 2014 before Judge Kirsten Nielsen Hartig of the 52-4 District Court for a preliminary exam.
Other jurisdictions are currently pursuing charges against these two suspects.
Troy Police would like to remind realtors and homeowners to stay vigilant and aware during open houses and house showings. Homeowners should also lock up and secure valuables.
NOTE: Police Reports come directly from the Police Department or agency involved and are written by the person or agency listed below the title. We generally run these “as is” or with minimal editing for punctuation, spelling, etc. Suspects should not be presumed guilty. Those needing more information about a case are encouraged to follow up with the reporting agency or court system for the most current information.
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