TROY (WWJ) – Four people are in custody after a concerned neighbor’s 911 call led to the discovery of what police are calling a “multi-state crime spree.”
Troy police officials say they were called to a home on Newgate Drive, near Big Beaver and Adams Roads, last Wednesday after a neighbor saw suspicious people walking in a resident’s backyard.
The concerned neighbor reported the people were knocking on his neighbor’s door and peeking through the windows before walking to the back of the home.
Before police arrived the suspects fled the scene in a black Kia Sorento with California plates, which was stopped a short time later along I-75 south of the Big Beaver entrance ramp, according to police.
Officials say the caller provided a detailed description of the car and noted one of the suspects was wearing a yellow safety vest, while another was carrying a ladder.
During the traffic stop, officers found the vest and the ladder inside the Kia.
Authorities discovered pry marks along the rear sliding door and door frame at the home on Newgate. The door frame was damaged and bent, according to police.
While police were searching the car, investigators found numerous pieces of jewelry that were packaged and hidden under the center console and engine compartments, officials said.
Further investigation revealed the recovered items were originally stolen from a home invasion that occurred in Missouri earlier this month. No further details on that alleged crime were released. It's not clear whether the suspects are linked to any other crimes.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Yohona Ortiz, Geiler Orobio-Cabezas, Cesar Aldana-Velasquez and Madeleyne Leon-Gutierrez each with second-degree conspiracy to commit home invasion, second-degree attempted home invasion and receiving & concealing stolen property greater than $20,000.
All four were arraigned on the multiple felony charges on Feb. 10 in 52-4 District Court. Bond was set at $500,000 for Ortiz and Leon-Gutierrez, $800,000 for Orobio-Cabezas and $900,000 for Aldana-Velasquez.
Troy police officials in a press release thanked officers “for their quick response in this case in locating the fleeing vehicle,” noting investigators were able to connect the arrests to a “multi-state crime spree.”
“We also would like to praise the instinctive neighbor for recognizing a crime was occurring, notifying Troy Police immediately, and providing detailed information. We ask our residents to continue to be vigilant; when you see something, say something,” officials said.
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