Brandon Twp.- Residents along Hadley Road can rest easy.
After months of arson fires, detectives found the culprits and have confessions from three local juveniles. A fourth teen that is involved lives in Ohio.
‘Everyone on the street can relax,? said Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Detective and School Liaison Officer Arnie Terrell. ‘Hadley is a safe street again.?
During the past three months, deputies and fire department personnel have responded to several mailbox and trash can fires at residences along S. Hadley Road, between E. Seymour Lake Road and Oakhill Road. Last week, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Of fice put up a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved, but it was the work of Terrell and Fire Investigator Scott Pasini that ultimately found the 15-year-old perpetrators.
Terrell said after Pasini called him, he asked around in his capacity as school liaison officer and questioned one particular boy who lives on the road, leading to confessions from all three youths.
‘They weren’t aware of the term ‘terrorizing the neighborhood,?? Terrell said. ‘I broke it down for them.?
The case has officially been handed over to the juvenile court system, but Terrell said he and Pasini will hammer out a disciplinary plan with the parents of the kids involved. He will require them to complete a youth assistance program addressing their desire to burn and will also make them join something, whether it be a school activity, band, scouting, a youth group, or library after-school program.
‘Kids that are involved in crimes are usually involved in zero extracurricular activities,? Terrell said. ‘They have to be active and meet people they didn’t know. I am going to write out the contract and parents and kids have to sign it and agree. Otherwise, these are good kids.?