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Taft Students Arrested for Home Invasion

(Lt. William Wilson, Ferndale Police Department)

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Home Invasion

Three men were arrested for breaking into a Ferndale home on Farmdale yesterday afternoon at about 2:45 p.m. One of the three was released pending further investigation. At least one more suspect is still on the loose, but his identity is known. The suspects are Detroit residents who are students at Taft School, in the neighborhood where the crime occurred. Two staff member from the school  are credited for noticing the criminal activity and notifying the police so that the suspects could be caught in the act.

The two  school administrators notices suspicious activity of several students, so they followed them. Several students worked together to break into a home where they stole two big screen televisions. They stashed one TV in a neighboring back yard, then brazenly walked down the street with the other. The school administrators watched the thieves, and called police.

One of the suspects (Stephens-Harper) went to a bus stop at 8 Mile / Livernois and was pointed out by the witnesses and arrested. The witnesses then informed the officers that they saw another suspect carrying one of the stolen televisions go into the Midway Party Store on 8 Mile. Police went inside and found Johnathan Booker inside with the TV; he was arrested.

Another suspect was in the parking lot, and a police officer overheard him talking on his phone about the crime; he was arrested, interviewed, and released pending further investigation.

Around the time of the burglary investigation, a Ferndale  officer noticed a reckless driving incident. The driver of the car stopped and picked up a passenger, then continued to drive in a reckless manner. He stopped the car and arrested 19 year old Dwayne Johnson (Det. Resident) for reckless driving and Driving with a suspended license. During the traffic stop investigation, the officer identified the passenger who was picked up as a Taft student. Later investigation showed this person was involved in the home invasion. He may be arrested in the future.

The matter is still under investigation and upon completion will be presented to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for review.