Around 100 burglaries in 7-weeks have terrorized towns across Saginaw County. The ringleaders, according to the sheriff, are those who recently got out of prison.
Those cases, he says, are now solved thanks to the help of an alert public and committed crime-fighters.
TV's, video games, GPS units, and cash were stolen from homes, vehicles, and businesses since June 1st in Saginaw County.
Those cases involve 16 municipalities, including Midland County and Gratiot County. In all, there are 91 cases involving 31 suspects.
Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspeil says, "At least five of these 31 are career criminals who have been to prison numerous times and who were recently paroled by the State of Michigan."
You may remember late last month when the sheriff's department busted a man for allegedly scrapping metal from the Swan Creek Township Park bleachers and DNR gates.
The sheriff says that man is one of the ringleaders. "What we found with this particular individual is that he recruited people coming back out of prison, mainly younger males," says Federspiel.
The sheriff says, many times, the perception is that an increase in burglaries is a result of downward economy. Federspiel says this is not the case here. "I'll assure the public this, not a one of these 31 people were putting food on the table. They were supporting their gambling habits, drug habits, and alcohol habits."
Federspiel says the best defense to burglars is to know your neighbors and report any suspicious activity in your area.
The more serious charges are criminal enterprising, which carry 20-year prison sentences.
