Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies were able to use a tried and true method of police investigation for tracking down two individuals suspected of multiple breaking and enterings in Addison Township – they followed their footprints in the snow.
According to the sheriff’s report, Leonard resident Dave Brazen contacted police around 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 6 after hearing strange noises outside his home and discovering footprints in the snow around his Pontiac Grand Prix. Sheriff’s Deputies Pearson and Ostrander were the first to arrive at the home on Dorn Rd. The report states Mr. Brazen found his vehicle had been entered and “things were moved around, but nothing was missing.”
While Deputy Pearson spoke with Mr. Brazen, Deputy Ostrander began following the footprints left in the snow. The report states that the two deputies eventually followed the footprints from house to house along Dorn Rd. to Dequindre Rd. and then partway along Dequindre. Substation Commander Pete Burkett confirmed that the prints would lead to vehicles and doorways on the properties. Also, he stated that the deputies were contacting property owners along to trail and discovering that items were missing from some of the vehicles and homes.
According to the report, the trail of footprints continued and finally ended at the side door of a home on Van Dyke in Washington. The report states the deputies awoke the property owner and were allowed into the home, where they spoke with two men: 19-year-old Andrew Keller, of Washington, and 19-year-old Daniel Siedzik, of Romeo.
The deputies stated in their report that the two subjects admitted to having been on a walk, and after being questioned, admitted to taking some of the missing items, including a helmet which was in the young men’s possession. Both men were placed under arrest at this time and taken for further questioning.
The sheriff’s deputies later learned, after questioning the young men further, that the suspects were also on Low Wood Rd. that night. The deputies were able to verify this after speaking with a homeowner who confirmed that his pole barn had been entered and a helmet stolen. The Low Wood Rd. resident was able to identify the helmet in police possession.
“The deputies did a great job on this one,” said Sgt. Burkett. “It’s just good, old fashioned police work – no tricks or fancy techniques used.”
The two young men were arraigned on Feb. 23. Andrew Keller has been charged with one count of home invasion, a two year felony; two counts of larceny from a vehicle, each a five year felony; and one count of larceny from a building, a four year felony. Daniel Siedzik was charged with two counts of larceny from a vehicle.
Both men are out on bond and their examination hearings have been set for March 24.