BY MATT MACKINDER
Clarkston News Editor

A Clarkston man who spent his Saturday afternoon attempting or successfully completing a series of robberies in Pontiac and Independence Township before attempting to flee from Oakland County deputies has landed in the Oakland County Jail.
Aaron James Maple, 26, is accused of trying to walk out of a rent-to-own store with a 50-inch flat screen TV before swiping tip jars from several restaurants, all within several hours on Saturday, October 30.
He finished his day trying to hide from deputies.
Maple began his Saturday shortly after 1 p.m. at the Aaron’s Rent to Own, 1073 North Perry Street in Pontiac. Maple, who was wearing a ski mask, walked into the store, grabbed a 50-inch Samsung flat screen television, and attempted to walk out of the store with it. A store employee confronted Maple before he could leave with the television. Maple left the store and drove away in a gold Ford Focus. Store employees were able to get the license plate number of the vehicle.
About 30 minutes later, deputies were called to the Pita Way, 6315 Sashabaw Road in Independence Township, to investigate a larceny. They learned that a man grabbed the tip jar containing about $40, ran to his car – a gold Ford Focus – and drove away. Deputies were given a partial license plate number.
Less than three hours later, deputies were called to Ray’s Fish and Chicken at 143 S. Telegraph Road in Pontiac for a larceny report. A male subject with “big hair” reached under protective glass and attempted to take the tip jar. He then pushed the glass aside and grabbed the jar, which contained $15-$20 and ran away and got into a tan station wagon-type vehicle. The restaurant owner was able to provide a partial license plate number.
Within an hour, another tip jar was swiped, this time from the Rocket Restaurant and Pizzeria, 1375 Baldwin Avenue in Pontiac. The subject fled in a station wagon-type vehicle.
Finally, about 5:40 p.m. Saturday, deputies on routine patrol spotted a Ford Focus that matched the description of the vehicle used in the robberies earlier that day. While trying to elude capture, the vehicle struck another vehicle. No one was injured in the collision. The fleeing vehicle was also involved in a collision in Auburn Hills.
Maple’s mother later called the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and said her son was the driver and he would turn himself in Sunday morning, which he did.
Deputies located the Ford Focus, which had sustained damage to its front end.
Maple was arraigned last Wednesday, November 3, in 50th District Court in Pontiac on two counts of larceny in a building, retail fraud, driving while license suspended and fleeing a police officer, third degree – a five-year felony. Judge Cynthia Walker set bond for Maple at $25,000 cash or surety. He is to return to court on November 16 for a hearing and on November 23 for a preliminary examination.
Last Tuesday, Maple was charged in Independence Township with larceny in a building. Magistrate Thomas Raguso arraigned Maple and set a $2,500 personal bond. His next appearance was set for yesterday, November 9, before 52nd District Court – Second Division Judge Joseph Fabrizio.
Maple has prior convictions for possession of marijuana, being a disorderly person, and a traffic violation.