MT. CLEMENS (WWJ) - A former Macomb County Clerk, known for her bizarre and erratic behavior, is now a fugitive from the law.
Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith announced Wednesday that Karen Spranger has been charged with Larceny - $1,000 or more, but less than $20,000, a 5-year felony, for allegedly stealing from an elderly woman for whom she was working a caregiver in Warren.
After the bank alerted police to some suspicious activity, Smith said Spranger was spotted on a security video at ATMs withdrawing cash from the woman's bank account.
Smith said more than $1,600 was withdrawn by Spranger over the course of eight days in early January.
"The video also shows, and the pictures show that Karen was along in the car without our victim, and that no time did our victim give permission," Smith told WWJ's Ron Dewey and other reporters at a news conference.
The 60-something Spranger is not in custody, however, because police can't seem to find her.
"A lot of this is frustrating for all of us, because we've been trying to get in touch with Karen Spranger, and Warren PD and Detective Nicholas have left no stone unturned in an attempt to talk to her," Smith said. "Of course, we'd like to get her side of this."
Spranger was ousted from her position as Macomb County Clerk in March of 2018 after it was discovered she'd lied about her residency on documents she filed to run for office.
While Spranger has no known home address, investigators believe the ex-clerk is still in the metro Detroit area, possibly staying in hotels.
"Do the right thing and turn yourself in," Smith said, speaking directly to Spranger.
A police report obtained by WWJ's Charlie Langton showed Spranger was listed as a suspect accused of aggravated assault; allegedly having used "personal weapons (hands, feet, teeth)" in an incident back in February. No assault charges have been filed.
Anyone who knows of Spranger's whereabouts is asked to call the Warren Police Department at 586-574-4700.
