Woman Finds Burglar in Backseat and More Crime Nearby

Find out what crimes made headlines in neighboring communities over the past week.

The following information was supplied by area police departments. A criminal charge is only an accusation, and does not indicate convictions. BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP Woman Finds Burglar Inside Vehicle at Bloomfield Twp. Panera Vonzell Berry, of Detroit, faces one count of breaking and entering a vehicle in the Panera Bread parking lot. BIRMINGHAM Motorists Arrested for Smoking Marijuana in Birmingham The Birmingham Police Department provided the following information. Arrests, where they are mentioned, do not indicate conviction. CLAWSON Clawson High School Evacuated Due to Bomb Threat - Update School resumes as normal on Tuesday however no backpacks will be permitted as a precautionary measure. OAKLAND TOWNSHIP Man Tells Deputies He Sexually…

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Ferndale Police Seek Tips in Knife Attack

The Ferndale Police Department supplied the following information.

The Ferndale Police Department seeks the public's help to identify the suspect in an April 4 knife attack, according to information released Friday. The 20-year-old victim reported that shortly after 1 a.m. April 4, as he was walking north on Woodward Avenue after getting off a bus at State Fair, the suspect, who was walking in front of him, spun around, pulled out a knife and asked if the victim was trying to rob him, according to a police report. The victim ignored the man and kept walking, but the suspect followed him and continued to yell threats, the report said. The suspect followed the victim into the Mobil gas station store at Woodward and Ardmore, where he pulled a knife on the man, who ran around the store to escape, according to…

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Armed Robbery, Weapon Threat and More Crime Nearby

Find out what crimes made headlines in neighboring communities over the past week.

The following information was supplied by area police departments. A criminal charge is only an accusation, and does not indicate convictions. ROYAL OAK: Armed Robber Targets Elderly Couple in Royal Oak Police say similar attacks occurred in Birmingham and West Bloomfield. ROCHESTER: Rochester Police Recover Used Hypodermic Needle Man reports finding used needle, but no substance found inside vial. TROY: Drunken Driving, Driving Under the Influence Incidents: April 2-6 The following information was obtained from the Troy Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction. BIRMINGHAM: Birmingham Seaholm Locked Down Over Weapon Threat The Birmingham Police Department continues to investigate an …

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Ferndale Purse Retrieval Results in Drug Charges

Resident calls police after Southfield man knocks on his door and threatens him while trying to get a female friend's bag; the suspect had 11 outstanding warrants and was carrying crack pipes when arrested, a report says.

Backyard Fire Ordinance Working Well, Ferndale Fire Chief Says

Rules enacted in October that set limits on burning and require residents to apply for a permit have had "no negative downsides," Kevin Sullivan says.

A new ordinance that allows backyard fires in Ferndale has had "no negative downsides," Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan said Thursday. The Ferndale City Council approved the open burning ordinance in October that allows for backyard fires, which had been illegal, as long as residents get a permit and follow certain guidelines. "It's going very well," said Sullivan, who expects an increase in permit applications as the weather warms. "There have been no negative downsides as of yet." [Are you happy with the new ordinance? Leave a comment to tell us why or why not!] Sullivan said he believes the new ordinance provides a safe and legal way for residents to enjoy backyard fires and provides more control and enforceability.  “People are still burning…

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Pretzel Fight, Stolen Beer and More Crime Nearby

Find out what crimes made headlines in neighboring communities over the past week.

The following information was supplied by area police departments. A criminal charge is only an accusation, and does not indicate convictions. TROY Dip? Duck! Charges Could Follow from Pretzel Fight A mistaken order at a mall eatery escalated from an argument to a fight. ROYAL OAK Thirsty Thief Steals Beer at Emagine and More on Police Blotter The following information was supplied by the Royal Oak Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction. FERNDALE Ferndale Man Steals Bikes From Police Impound Yard Resident accused of stealing two bikes from police impound yard on Easter, the Daily Tribune reports. ROCHESTER HILLS Arrest Made in Rochester Hills in Connection to 15-20 Home Invasions …

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Ferndale Faces Budget Shortfall, Firefighter Layoffs Possible As Grant Expires

Budget presented to council this week reflects a deficit of $956,000 for fiscal year 2013-14 and $2 million for 2014-15.

Ferndale officials are hoping to avoid laying off firefighters as the city moves forward with budgeting for fiscal years 2013-14 and 2014-15. The city prepared a budget using an expected decline in taxable values of one percent, but final numbers from the county released March 20 show a total revenue decline of six percent in taxable value. City staff also updated projections for fiscal year 2014-15 to reflect a three percent loss rather than the potential for an increase. Because of the changes, the budget presented to council this week had a deficit of $956,000 for fiscal year 2014 and $2 million for 2015. The Ferndale Fire Department could be one of the areas affected, as a grant has paid for four of the city's firefighters for the past…

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Ferndale Man Steals Bikes From Police Impound Yard

Resident accused of stealing two bikes from police impound yard on Easter, the Daily Tribune reports.