Man Arrested For Stealing From Neighbor's Garage

MADISON HEIGHTS (WWJ) - A 50-year-old Madison Heights man was arrested for breaking into his neighbor's garage and stealing several items.

Police say Joseph Petroff was arraigned on charges of breaking and entering and larceny. If convicted as charged, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

On Sunday, April 22 around 1:51 a.m., police say Petroff was observed by witnesses pushing an air compressor and a large rolling tool box down the sidewalk and into his home on Groveland Street. Petroff was also seen carrying a 24-foot extension ladder which he placed in the backyard of his home.

Officers responded to the area and noticed that a garage on Townley Street appeared to have been broken into, as well as a vehicle in the driveway that had its window broken out with glass on the ground.

The homeowner was contacted and confirmed that his garage and his vehicle had been broken into. Police say the homeowner told them he was missing a tool box, air compressor, television, DVD player, a 24-foot extension ladder and a stereo from his garage. He also confirmed that he was missing the loose change that had been inside his vehicle.

Police then made contact with Petroff at his home and were able to recover the stolen property. After the arrest, the victim found that he was also missing two lawn mowers from his yard. A search warrant was obtained for Petroff's residence and the two stolen lawn mowers were recovered. Officers also located other lawn mowers and a snow blower which were taken to the Madison Heights Police Department for safekeeping.

Police say on Monday they were contacted by a homeowner on Groveland Street who reported his snow blower missing from his shed. Police believe that the snow blower is the same one that was recovered from Petroff's residence during the execution of the search warrant.

Police will be seeking additional charges regarding the snow blower.

Petroff is due back in court for a preliminary exam on May 2.