WCSO: December 2020 police activity report in the village of Manchester

During the month of December, there were 49 calls for service, and zero traffic stops were made. Noteworthy events in Manchester Village during December include:

On December 13, a collaboration Deputy responded to the 100 block of Hibbard St. for a report of a suspicious incident. The caller indicated that they returned home after being away for approximately five hours. They believed that an unknown person entered their home through an unlocked door, lit a candle, and left the gas on to the stove. The incident was investigated, and no suspects have been identified.

On December 15, a collaboration Deputy responded to the 100 block of Hibbard Street for a report of a door to door salesman aggressively trying to sell their products to the homeowner. The two salesmen were insistent with the homeowner that they needed to come inside, but left once 911 was threatened by the homeowner. The deputy searched for the salesman, but did not locate anyone matching the description given.

On December 17, a collaboration Deputy responded to the 400 block of Territorial Rd. for a report of a larceny from a vehicle. The caller reported that her license plate was stolen; however, a two-week time frame of the theft was given, making the exact date, time, and location of where it was stolen from irresolvable to locate a suspect. The deputy investigating the incident continues to run the license plate through LEIN, but no information of any value has been discovered as yet.

There were four ordinance violations investigated during December.

More recently, Director of Community Engagement Derrick Jackson of WCSO shared additional information that may be a county-wide scam. On the evening of Wednesday, January 13, Deputies responded to a suspicious incident in Salem Township that turned out to be a home invasion.

The homeowners received a knock at their door and were engaged by a man claiming to be with a tree removal company. The suspect alleged that he would be trimming/removing trees around the property and asked to walk the property with the homeowner. As one of the homeowners walked the property with suspect #1, a second suspect approached the home and engaged the other homeowner in conversation. While both homeowners were distracted, a third suspect entered the home and stole miscellaneous items. All three suspects got into a gray pickup truck and fled in an unknown direction. No one was hurt during the incident.

The homeowners believed the interaction was suspicious, but did not realize anything had been stolen until some time later. Deputies were dispatched to the scene, but the suspects had already fled the area.

Suspect Information:

Suspect #1: “Ernesto” was the name used. Described as a smaller man that spoke with a Spanish accent.

Suspect #2: “Sanchez” was the name used. Described as a white male around 5’8” tall.

Suspect #3: Described as a black male around 5’10” tall

Vehicle is described as a gray pick up truck, possibly Ford F-150.

Please remember when contractors arrive at your residence, to check their credentials if you did not request service before opening the door.

Any information or leads that could help, please contact Detective Babycz (babyczm@washtenaw.org) or Deputy Saydak (saydaks@washtenaw.org) through Central Dispatch Non-Emergency 734-994-2911.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.