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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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Woman robbed at gunpoint outside South End Market on Flint's south side
Published: Saturday, June 23, 2012, 12:15 PM Updated: Saturday, June 23, 2012, 12:30 PM
By Amanda Emery | temery@mlive.com
FLINT, MI -- A woman was robbed at gunpoint while leaving a store just outside of downtown Flint, according to a police report released today.
The woman told police she made a purchase at the South End Market, located in the 1000 block of South Saginaw Street, on Thursday, June 21 around 10:45 p.m. Upon leaving the store and walking toward her vehicle she was approached by two male suspects.
According to the report, one of the suspects pulled out a silver handgun and pointed it at the woman. He the took her purse and cell phone. Both suspects then fled on foot southbound through the parking lot.
The woman drove to a nearby residence and called 911.
The reporting officer followed up at the store and spoke with the clerks. The clerks told the officer they would review the surveillance video. |
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Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:52 pm |
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Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D
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| Will the Journal ever mention the shooting, possibly fatal, at the Auto Zone across from the Liquor Wheel & palm Tree last night? |
_________________
I used to care, but I take a pill for that now.
Pushing buttons sure can be fun.
When a lion wants to go somewhere, he doesn’t worry about how many hyenas are in the way.
Paddle faster, I hear banjos. |
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Mon Jun 25, 2012 1:09 pm |
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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David- The police reported 8 shootings Monday and this morning. Bet the media will not report many of them. Also sounds like the city was shot up last night too. Where are the guns coming from and you can bet they are not legal. Flint may have their own gunrunning problem.
Mexican drug cartels are killing over turf, and our city streets are fighting turf battles too.
Men entered a home on the 300 block of Plaski and killed a man and a woman. They tied up another woman and 2 children. Woman escaped and called police. That was shooting #8. |
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Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:33 am |
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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Flint police investigating double homicide on city's northside
Published: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 5:07 AM Updated: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 5:12 AM
By David Harris | dharris5@mlive.com
FLINT, MI -- A man and woman were found shot to death around 12:30 a.m. today at a home on Pulaski near King Avenue, according to police.
It is unclear at this point what led up to the shooting.
Detectives are on scene investigating. There is no word on any arrests.
Police said there have been up to eight shootings Monday and this morning.
Anyone with information is asked to call Flint police at 810-237-6801 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-422-JAIL. |
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Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:34 am |
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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shots were fired into occupied houses during the night. Houses previously shot up were calling 911 fearful their house was being cased for another possible shooting.
2600 block of Barth an occupied home was shot into and the victim went to the hospital critical.
An elderly man was shot in the leg while walking in the 500 block of Holbrook
May have been a shooting in the 2500 block of Trout
shots fired occupied 500 block W Marengo
Ballenger between Court and Corunna has been the scene of many battles and gunshots lately. 911 reported 40 shots fired at Ballenger and Corunna tonight.
Another trouble spot has been Branch road especially near the American trailer park, north of Davison. Shots fired near the 2800 block. |
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Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:45 am |
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Dave Starr
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quote:
untanglingwebs schreef:
David- The police reported 8 shootings Monday and this morning. Bet the media will not report many of them. Also sounds like the city was shot up last night too. Where are the guns coming from and you can bet they are not legal. Flint may have their own gunrunning problem.
Guns are easy to get on the street. You can get a 38 revolver for 80 bucks. |
_________________
I used to care, but I take a pill for that now.
Pushing buttons sure can be fun.
When a lion wants to go somewhere, he doesn’t worry about how many hyenas are in the way.
Paddle faster, I hear banjos. |
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Tue Jun 26, 2012 8:38 am |
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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Flint public safety officials: Rash of recent shootings, including double homicide, highlights importance of plan
Published: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 11:25 AM Updated: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 11:43 AM
By Kristin Longley | klongley1@mlive.com
MLive.com file photoFlint police are investigating a double shooting this morning on the city's north side.
FLINT, MI -- A spike in shootings in Flint over the last 36 hours has the city's public safety officials calling on the community to do its part as police wrestle with a shortage of resources.
There have been eight shootings since late Sunday night, Flint police said today, including a double homicide this morning on the city's north side.
Police have identified and are searching for a suspect, Roderick D. Harris, in that case.
Flint police Chief Alvern Lock and Public Safety Director Barnett Jones have issued a joint statement on the rash of shootings, saying police are working diligently on the respective investigations.
"The police department is working as hard as we can with the resources available," the statement says. "This Illustrates the importance of the public safety plan."
Lock, Jones and emergency manager Michael Brown announced a public safety plan last month that includes reopening the Flint jail and a police patrol strategy that involves dividing the city into four patrol districts.
The public safety officials also said police need help from the community in providing tips and information that could lead to more arrests.
"Even though there's a need out there for more officers, the community has to do its part too," said the statement, issued through Public Information Officer Jason Lorenz. |
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Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:20 pm |
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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Candidate for Genesee County Sheriff Tim Johnson helps Flint police in double homicide arrest; suspect claims self-defense
Published: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 2:42 PM Updated: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 2:42 PM
By David Harris | dharris5@mlive.com
Genesee County Sheriff candidate and former Flint Police Officer Tim Johnson (center) walks out of the Flint Police Department after helping turn in Roderick D. Harris, the suspect from this morning's double-homicide on E. Pulaski Ave.
FLINT, MI -- The suspect who is accused of shooting two people to death is claiming self-defense, said Tim Johnson, a retired Flint police officer and candidate for Genesee County Sheriff who aided police with the arrest.
With guns strapped under Johnson's arms, Roderick Harris turned himself into police just after noon today at the Flint Police Department. A man and woman were found shot to death around 12:30 a.m. at a home on Pulaski near King Avenue.
The victims arrived at the location to collect a debt and were shot as they were exiting the basement area, police said. Harris then took off his tether and fled the scene, according to police.
Johnson said he received a phone call from a mutual friend on Tuesday morning and advised Harris that he should turn himself in.
Johnson declined to get into detail about why it was self-defense.
"He's claiming self defense, 100 percent," he said. "From what I heard that's exactly what it is."
Flint police could not be reached to comment on the self-defense claim.
Johnson said his help had nothing to do with his run for sheriff.
"This is what I do," said Johnson. "I never took the limelight before solving all those homicides when I was with the Flint Police Department. I always went over and caught he guy and turned him over to the (detective bureau). This is nothing different." |
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Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:26 pm |
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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The first time Harris turned himself in to Sheriff Pickell. He coordinated his surrender with then Fox 66 reporter Jim Kiertzner and former Prosecutor Robert Leonard. Harris was believed to have participated in the murder in Chicago and Harris was afraid to surface. Kiertzner's camera man was so nervous he accidently had the camera off and missed the whole pick up before kiertzner delivered Harris to the jail and Pickell.
Kiertzner later discovered the video at a local Krogers grocery store that proved Harris was in Flint and not Chicago at the time of the Chicago murders.
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Double homicide suspect Roderick Harris pleaded guilty to helping brother escape from Genesee County Jail
Published: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 3:16 PM Updated: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 3:16 PM
By David Harris | dharris5@mlive.com
FLINT, MI -- The man suspected in a double homicide today was convicted more than a decade ago for helping his brother during his escape from the Genesee County Jail.
Roderick Harris turned himself in just after noon today. Police suspect him in the killing of a man and a woman who were found shot to death around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday on Pulaski near King Avenue. Harris is claiming self-defense.
Police say the victims went to the home to collect a debt and were shot while they were exiting the basement area.
Back in 1999, Harris was charged with aiding his brother, Ricardo Harris, during his escape from a Genesee County Sheriff's deputy at a Burton dentist's office. Ricardo Harris overpowered the deputy and then fled. Authorities said Roderick Harris drove his brother out of town, according to The Flint Journal archives.
Roderick Harris pleaded guilty to escape-awaiting trial, according to Journal archives.
Ricardo Harris was convicted in 2004 of murder and sentenced to death for killing two people at a suburban Chicago convenience store in 1999. |
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Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:34 pm |
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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Mt. Morris Township man pleads guilty to killing retired Sheriff's Lt. Lonnie Thomas during robbery
Published: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 4:30 PM
By Gary Ridley | gridley@mlive.com
FLINT, MI -- A Mt. Morris Township man pleaded guilty today for his role in the 2011 shooting death of retired sheriff's Lt. Lonnie Thomas.
Ryan S. Deville, 18, pleaded guilty in front of Genesee Circuit Judge Archie Hayman to second-degree murder and felony firearm charges for his role in the 76-year-old Thomas' death.
Authorities say Thomas walked in on Deville and Aaron A. Robinson robbing his East Jameison Street home in August 2011. Thomas was shot in the head multiple times.
Deville's attorney, Dennis Lazar, said his client panicked when Thomas walked into the home and he shot the retired law enforcement officer.
Lazar said both Deville and Robinson made comments to police incriminating the the other person after the shooting, justifying a felony murder charge.
With mounting evidence and a growing concern for taking a life, Lazar said Deville eventually agreed to plea guilty.
"He knew he had to be held accountable," Lazar said.
Deville initially faced nine charges, including: first-degree murder, open murder, first-degree home invasion, safe breaking, carjacking, armed robbery, larceny of a firearm, receiving/concealing a stolen gun and felony firearms.
A second-degree murder charge carries the possibility of life in prison.
Lazar said no agreement was made on the length of Deville's sentence, but he does expect it to include a "significant period of years."
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said Deville will be prepared to testify against Robinson and that everybody that was brought to the table to discuss the resolution of this case thought the agreement was fair.
Leyton said that despite the fact many in his office knew Thomas, he still approached the case in the manner he would any other homicide.
However, that didn't stop him from praising the former law enforcement officer.
"Thomas served his community and served it well," Leyton said.
Former Genesee County Sheriff Joe Wilson described Thomas after his death as a "pioneer who blazed the trail for people to follow."
Thomas held a number of firsts during his tenure with the sheriff's department.
In 1972, he became the first black man to hold a supervisory role when he was promoted to oversee the uniform services division. And, in 1980, he became the first black man to be promoted to lieutenant.
Thomas began serving with the department in 1963. He retired in the mid 1990s.
Robinson, 19, of Flint, is still facing charges of first-degree murder, open murder, first-degree home invasion, safe breaking, carjacking, armed robbery, larceny of a firearm, receiving/concealing a stolen gun and felony firearms.
He also faces the possibility of life in prison.
Hayman denied a change of venue motion today proposed by Robinson's attorney, Major White.
White could not be reached for comment.
A July 10 trial date was set for Robinson. He is awaiting trial in the Genesee County Jail.
Deville is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 6. |
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Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:16 pm |
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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One shot while sleeping, one while driving in slew of shootings that shake up Flint
Published: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 11:27 PM Updated: Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 1:45 AM
By Khalil AlHajal | kalhajal@mlive.com
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FLINT, MI -- In a slew of separate shootings over the last four days, a man and woman were killed while collecting a debt, an 18-year-old died in accidental gunfire and a woman was struck by a bullet fired into her home as she slept on a couch.
Police reports detail at least eight shootings, three of them fatal, since Friday. More shooting reports in that time period are likely to be released in the coming days. Police at one shooting scene said there may have been as many as eight on Monday and Tuesday alone.
A man and woman were shot to death around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday at a home on East Pulaski Avenue. Police said the two went to the home to collect a debt and were shot as they left the basement of the house.
The suspect, Roderick Harris, a parolee who at first removed a court-ordered tether and fled, later turned himself over to police claiming the shootings were in self defense.
Neighbors either declined to speak out of fear or shrugged off the violence on Tuesday and there was no answer at the door of the home where the double homicide occurred.
At least two more shooting victims suffered non-critical gunshot wounds, each to the leg, in separate incidents Monday.
On Sunday, a man was left in critical condition after being shot multiple times around 11 p.m. on Clio Road south of Stewart Avenue, according to one police report.
Earlier that day, a woman was sleeping on a couch in an Oklahoma Avenue home when she hear shots fired, tried to get up and realized she'd been shot in the right forearm, according to another report.
Saturday, a 20-year-old man was "horsing around" with a rifle around 1 a.m. at his home on Hillcroft Drive when it went off, hitting and killing his friend, 18-year-old Denzel Carroll, according to the Genesee County Prosecutor's office.
Troy Williams faces a negligent manslaughter charges in the death.
Another man was shot in his vehicle while driving down Copeman Boulevard on Friday evening, according to another police report. He was taken to the hospital by a family member and listed in good condition.
The string of violence goes even further back to Thursday, when Joyce Nelson, a 49-year-old behavior coordinator at Hamady Middle/High School known for her big smile, was shot to death outside her Flint home. Her boyfriend Cleophis Hall is charged in her slaying.
Anyone with information on any of the incidents is asked to call Flint police at 810-237-6801 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-422-JAIL.
Contact Khalil AlHajal at kalhajal@mlive.com or 810-241-8803. Follow him on Twitter @FlintKhalil or on Facebook at Khalil Flint Journal. |
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Wed Jun 27, 2012 7:29 am |
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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I have gotten questions regarding the safety plan for Flint. The six page plan is on the City of Flint official site along with the Emergency manager information.
City of Flint - Official Website for Flint, Michigan
www.cityofflint.com/ - Similarto City of Flint - Official Website for Flint, Michigan
The City of Flint, Michigan web site contains information about Flint municipal government services, and Flint attractions, calendars, events, maps, museums, ... |
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Wed Jun 27, 2012 7:53 am |
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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Genesee County burglary ring used stolen goods to buy heroin, cocaine, prosecutor says
Published: Thursday, June 28, 2012, 4:30 PM Updated: Thursday, June 28, 2012, 6:29 PM
By Gary Ridley | gridley@mlive.com
FLUSHING TOWNSHIP, MI – For Lynette Becker, today’s announcement that a group of people were arrested and charged for their suspected involvement in nearly two dozen home invasions across Genesee County brought a small slice of satisfaction.
“I was relieved,” Becker said. “Now they can’t do this to someone else.”
Becker’s Flushing Township home was just one of 22 in Clayton, Davison, Flint, Flushing, Grand Blanc, Mundy, Richfield and Montrose townships ransacked by the alleged thieves.
Tony Jay Zelenka, 31, of Flint, is accused of being the ring-leader of the group that broke into homes and used the ill-gotten goods to purchase heroin and cocaine from a suspected Flint drug dealer.
Zelenka is charged with 19 counts of second-degree home invasion, a 15-year felony, and three counts of first-degree home invasion, a 20-year felony.
His girlfriend, Donalee Kay Komarowski-Ward, 47, of Flint, is charged with eight counts of second-degree home invasion and one count of first-degree home invasion.
Komarowski-Ward's son, Daniel Komarowski, 25, of Flint, also faces one count of second-degree home invasion.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, along with 10 members of area law enforcement organizations, announced the charges during a press conference today.
Becker said her home was broken into May 23 while she and her husband were away from the house during the day.
After returning home that Wednesday, Becker quickly realized something was amiss.
“Why’s that back door open?” Becker remembered asking herself.
After walking into the house, she noticed that her front door was open, a rug was messed up and some of her cabinet drawers had been tossed about.
Knowing that her house had been broken into, Becker immediately called her husband.
“I was hysterical,” said Becker.
Becker’s husband helped to calm her down and the police were eventually called out to her house.
A laptop computer and an estimated $18,000 in jewelry were taken from her home.
But it wasn’t just possessions that were taken from the Beckers that day. The thieves also stole their sense of comfort and security.
“You feel violated,” said Becker, explaining that she even felt uneasy leaving the house to go and visit her children and grandchildren.
This was the fourth time Becker’s home had been broken into, and the couple decided it was time to make a change.
Now, Becker’s home has a new security system and outdoor flood lights. The couple is even planning to install cameras around the house to help them feel more safe and secure.
She became even more comfortable after investigators told her they believe they had the people that burglarized their house in custody.
Leyton said that the suspected thieves managed to steal tens-of-thousands-of-dollars of property from the Genesee County homes.
Typically, those goods were taken to a home on Ballenger Highway in Flint where they were traded for heroin and cocaine.
Leyton said many of the stolen goods were then taken to four different pawn shops in the Flint area.
Detective Lt. Patrick Richard, of the Flint Area Narcotics Group, who was involved in the investigation, said the three alleged thieves were using 1-2 grams of heroin per day.
“They were doing $200-$250 a day,” said Richard. “That’s a lot of heroin.”
Leyton’s office also charged Willie Lee Jones, 41, of Flint, and Dennis Wayne Leonard, 42, of Grand Blanc, with providing the drugs in exchange for the stolen goods.
Jones is charged with one count of safe breaking and two counts of drug de
livery. Leonard faces charges of safe breaking and possession of burglary tools.
Some of the goods were allegedly delivered to the pair in safes that were stolen from the homes and the two had to break into them to get to the valuables inside.
Authorities caught the suspected thieves after a Grand Blanc Township detective spotted a vehicle that matched the description of one used in one of the break-ins.
The detective then followed the vehicle to Taymouth Township in Saginaw County where he witnessed the group allegedly commit a break-in.
Leyton said the group is likely connected to at least four break-ins in Saginaw County.
Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas could not be reached for comment.
Some law enforcement officials said they believe the group could be connected to even more break-ins as the investigation moves forward, including more in neighboring counties.
Shiawassee County Sheriff Detective Lt. David Kirk said he was aware of the investigation into the suspected thieves, but his department has not yet been able to connect them to any of their home invasions.
Leyton praised area law enforcement for their work on the case, but said the rising use of heroin in the Genesee County area could lead to more crimes just like this.
“We have to get a handle on this heroin problem or we’ll have more home invasions,” said Leyton
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact law enforcement officials.
Gary Ridley can be reached at 810-280-9516. You can also follow him on Twitter @GaryRidley or on Facebook. |
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Thu Jun 28, 2012 6:08 pm |
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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Tony Lee Jones is photographed in the gallery and named as the Flint drug dealer.
4 of the 5 are from Flint.. |
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Thu Jun 28, 2012 6:14 pm |
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untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
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'She was not an innocent bystander at all," says father of Flint homicide victim
Published: Thursday, June 28, 2012, 12:20 PM Updated: Thursday, June 28, 2012, 1:14 PM
By David Harris | dharris5@mlive.com
David Harris | MLive.com)Flint police are investigating a double homicide where a man and woman were found shot to death on Pulaski Avenue.
FLINT, MI -- The father of one of the victims of a double homicide this week said his daughter's illegal activities led to her death.
"She didn't have any business doing what she was doing," said Donald Pittman, who's daughter Sandra Pittman was shot to death around early Tuesday at a home on East Pulaski Street.
Donald Pittman said his daughter, Sandra, was selling drugs despite repeated warnings from loved ones that she should stop.
"She was not an innocent bystander at all. She was directly involved with all the illegal activity that was going on at that time. She lost her life because she was directly involved in illegal activities that turned into that incident," said Donald Pittman.
Sandra Pittman, 23, and Marquis Meeks, 21, were found shot to death about 12:30 a.m. inside a home where police say the pair had gone to collect a debt.
Police said the pair were shot as they came up the stairs from the home's basement.
A suspect, Roderick Harris, turned himself into police on Tuesday afternoon. No charges have been filed but Harris remains jailed on a parole violation.
Tim Johnson, a retired Flint cop and candidate for Genesee County Sheriff who escorted Harris to turn himself in to police, has said Harris has told him that it was self-defense.
Pittman's father said he doesn't believe it was self defense, but said he is not upset with Harris who he said "did what he had to do."
"I'm disappointed in how this ended more than I am upset because she brought it on herself," Pittman said.
Pittman said his daughter was a "rebellious child" who did not want to "follow the rules." She grew up in the Flint area, but did not graduate high school, her father said.
Her grandmother, Lillie Pittman, 78, echoed much of her son's statements.
"I told her a couple of months ago, I said 'Sandra you are doing something you are not supposed to be doing,'" she said. "'Your little boys need you.'"
Sandra Pittman leaves behind two sons ages 3 and 5.
Her grandmother said Pittman loved her kids and they loved her back. She called her granddaughter "caring and sweet."
"She would always tell that me that 'Grandma, I know I don't act it or show it, but I love you, all the time," Lilllie Pittman said.
He did have a warning for those who decided to go down the path his daughter did.
"They need to change the direction from the one that Sandra went in," he said.
Family members of Meeks could not be reached for comment. |
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Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:13 pm |
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