Flock camera system in Lyon Twp. credited with solving several crimes, including in road rage incident with ice pick and string of thefts, authorities said

LYON TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - Authorities are crediting license plate cameras in Lyon Township with helping solve several crimes.

During a Lyon Township council meeting on July 1, Lieutenant Whitfield, of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, said a “gang” that was reportedly targeting a local daycare was caught using the Flock license plate cameras installed in the area.

According to Whitfield, a few months ago there was a group that was allegedly targeting vehicles at daycares. They would reportedly steal from a vehicle while the parent was dropping off their children.

A detective was able to use the cameras to locate the vehicle that was allegedly being used for the crimes. The vehicle would go to a nearby Walmart after the occupants reportedly stole from vehicles parked at a daycare.

The detective was able to work with investigators in Chicago to have warrants issued, which resulted in the arrests of several people allegedly involved in the thefts.

Sergeant Sharma, also of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, told the council about arrests made in an alleged assault that involved the camera system as well.

On June 20, at approximately 7:46 p.m., deputies were called to the area of Kensington Boulevard and Grand River Avenue.

Once authorities were on scene, Sharma said it was determined that the incident began as road rage on eastbound I-96 near the Kensington Road exit. The vehicle the suspects were traveling in, allegedly began throwing objects at the victims’ vehicle. The victims called 911 to alert authorities of what was happening.

Both vehicles exited the expressway and pulled into the Kensington Mobile Home Park. The suspect vehicle reportedly struck the victims’ vehicle from behind. Authorities said it was intentional.

Two victims got out of the vehicle and began recording the suspects. According to Sharma, two of the three occupants exited the suspect vehicle. The driver of the suspect vehicle allegedly drove toward the victims, attempting unsuccessfully to hit them.

One of the suspects reportedly approached the victims with a hammer and began “shouting and threatening” them, Sharma said.

One of the victims was pushed during the incident.

The third suspect got out of the vehicle and approached the other victim. They allegedly “punched her in the back of the head with what appeared to be an ice pick,” according to Sharma.

The suspects left the area before emergency responders arrived.

The victims were able to give authorities the recordings of all three suspects, the vehicle they were traveling in and the vehicle’s license plate.

Sharma said deputies and detectives were able to use the Flock cameras, as well as other methods, to identify the suspects and the vehicle they were driving. It was discovered that the suspects lived in Hamburg Township.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department alerted other agencies that they were looking for the suspects. The Hamburg Police Department arrested the suspects and contacted the Sheriff’s Department.

All three suspects were transported to the Oakland County Jail and the vehicle was impounded, Sharma said. The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office issued a total of three charges of felony assault, one charge of simple assault and one count of malicious destruction of property.

According to an article from Hometown Life , 20-year-old Joseph Damien Clark, of Eastpointe, 63-year-old Beulah Mullins, of Hamburg, and 24-year-old Mark Allen Simmons II, of Hamburg, were arrested for the incident.

Whitfield said the Sheriff’s Department can use Flock cameras in other areas to follow suspects and their vehicles. A description or a license plate number, either partial or full, can be used to track the vehicle in question.