Police Report: Three Arrested for Potential Parking Meter Break Ins

(Lt. William Wilson, Ferndale Police Department Press Release, Dec. 4, 2012)

Parking meters in Ferndale have had the money stolen from them at least four times so far this year. Other local communities have been experiencing the same problem. Early on Sunday morning (12/02/12) at about 5:00 a.m. Ferndale Patrol Sgt. Daniel Simon noticed a suspicious person (Craig) walking a dog in the area of 9 Mile / Woodward. He observed this person and another in the area and made contact with them individually. The people had traits similar to suspects in various thefts of money from parking meters. The thefts seemed to be committed by people with keys to open the meters.

Upon further investigation, the Sgt. determined there was reason to believe these two men were stealing money from parking meters. A check on one of the men (Hastings) showed he had two felony warrants for breaking into coin machines in Petoskey and Traverse City.

The two suspects were arrested as the investigation continued.

Officers then found another man acting as if he were sleeping in a Ford Expedition parked in a nearby parking lot. Investigation led the officers to believe that this person (O’Neil) was also a participant in the morning thefts and he was arrested.

The investigation continues and information will be shared with other departments across the state to determine if these suspects are involved in a number of similar crimes.

All of the suspects reside in Jackson, Michigan.

SUSPECTS ARRESTED:

1.       Douglas Charles HASTINGS, w/m, 63yrs. He has an extensive criminal record dating back to 1966. HASTINGS was arrested on the outstanding warrants from Traverse City and Petoskey. The investigation regarding the Ferndale crime continues and he has not been charged at this time.

O’NEIL AND CRAIG are charged with Breaking and Entering a Coin Operated Device

2.       James Richard O’NEIL, w/m, 48 yrs. He has a criminal history dating back to 1983.

3.       Terry Dale CRAIG, w/m, 28 yrs.

ARRAIGNMENT INFORMATION:

Magistrate Brennan set bond at:

·         $10,000 cash/surety for Craig

·         $25,000 cash/ surety for O’Neil