Politics & Government

Redford Man Recognized for Help Leading to Ferndale Home Invasion Arrest

Ferndale Police Chief Tim Collins presented Marcel Nistor with a Citizen Award at Monday night's City Council meeting.

Redford resident Marcel Nistor received a Citizen Award at Monday night's Ferndale City Council meeting for his actions that led to the arrest of a Ferndale home invasion suspect.

Ferndale Police Chief Tim Collins presented Nistor with the award, which was given for his "actions and quick response which led to the arrest of a very dangerous criminal" who later confessed to an October home invasion in Ferndale.

Nistor helped police locate the suspect in an attempted home invasion on Edgewood Place on Oct. 19 in which the homeowner discovered that his home was being attacked by an unknown person and fired his handgun at the suspect. The suspect had fled to a waiting stolen Ford Ranger pickup truck with an "Oxbow" logo on the side.

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Two days later, Nistor was riding his motorcycle in Redford when he saw a Ford Ranger with the logo and remembered, from a news story, that it was being sought in relation to a home invasion in Ferndale, Collins said. He even remembered the beginning of the license plate number.

Nistor drove his motorcycle toward the truck as it went to a gas station and confirmed the license plate as the one that was wanted. He then called 911 and stayed on the phone with police, providing information while they sent officers to the location. The suspect was arrested and later confessed to the home invasion and two other crimes. Collins said the man is suspected in many other crimes as well including home invasions and larcenies.

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The suspect - a 32-year-old parole absconder - faces three to 20 years in prison for his previous crimes before beginning a sentence on the new charges, according to police.

You can see an interview with Nistor at this ClickOnDetroit.com story.


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