Three Men Charged In String Of Home Invasions In Taylor

TAYLOR (WWJ) -- Taylor police arrested and charged three men in connection with a series of home invasions in the city's northeast neighborhoods on Thursday.

The men were charged in 23rd District Court and all are being held on $250,000 bonds. Michael Trevon Jones, 20, and Shaun Marcell Anderson, 20 -- both of Taylor -- have been charged in connection with a home invasion that occurred in the 8200 block of Huron Street on June 26.

Both men have been charged with first-degree home invasion, felony firearm, larceny in a building, larceny of a firearm; and receiving and concealing a firearm. Anderson faces an additional charge of receiving and concealing stolen property between $1,000 and $20,000.

Jones and Anderson are also charged -- along with Malik Travez Thomas, 19, of Taylor -- in a break-in of a home in the on Harding St. on August 7. It is believed that the three broke into the home stealing guns, jewelry and televisions.

Jones, Anderson and Thomas are charged with first-degree home invasion; felony firearm; larceny in a building; larceny of a firearm; receiving and concealing stolen property valued between $1,000 and $20,000. Anderson faces an additional charge of receiving and concealing a stolen firearm in this case. They face preliminary examinations in 23rd District Court on September 2.

Since May, police have received increased reports of home invasions in the area of Ecorse west of Monroe St. and north of Wick Rd.

Investigators had been working to develop leads, but it wasn't until a retired Taylor Police officer spotted two of the defendants checking out his house and going through his mailbox that the case started coming together.

Thomas and an uncharged juvenile approached the home of the former officer in the area of Pardee and Hayes on August 10. Former Taylor Detective Rich Todd and his neighbors observed the suspects casing his home and called police.

The two fled the area and the former officer followed the suspects while calling in the information to Taylor police. The two suspects were apprehended by officers. Once in custody, officers discovered an empty holster being worn by one of the suspects as well as zip ties and gloves.

A revolver was found in the yard near where the suspects were fleeing. A subsequent series of interviews and search warrants led to the identity of the other members of the home invasion ring.

Chief Mary Sclabassi commended her officers for their great police work in identifying the home invasion ring.

"But it couldn't have happened without our retired officer and his neighbors being so observant and calling in the suspicious activity right away," Sclabassi said. "This is what we mean when we say we need the community to help us by being our eyes and ears."

She added she may not encourage residents to follow suspects as in this case and that investigators are reviewing evidence in previous home invasions in the area and that there will be additional warrant requests submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office on the three defendants.