MOUNT CLEMENS (WWJ) - The Macomb County Prosecutor says a defendant thought it was a good idea to steal while in court.
Eric Smith says an Eastpointe man was in court on June 26 for charges stemming from a 2017 traffic stop incident and while waiting for his turn in front of the judge, he noticed an unattended cell phone on a bench in front of him.
The man allegedly sat down next to the phone and inconspicuously placed his hat over the phone, then maneuvered his hat in a way that he was able to grab the phone and slide it into his pocket unnoticed.
When the owner returned and couldn't find his phone, he asked a deputy for help. The deputy was able to pull the courtroom video feed, which provided "an excellent view of the courtroom and the phone being taken."
"The audacity of this defendant is alarming. He is already in court, awaiting sentencing on multiple unrelated charges, and yet, he is captured on video breaking the law once again," said Smith.
The man is charged with larceny in a building, which could put him in jail for up to four years if convicted as charged.
