Sumpter Township police thwart armed home invasion

Police have arrested all four suspects in an armed home invasion that occurred Thursday night in the 44000 block of Wear Road, according to the Sumpter Township Police Department.

Sumpter Township Police officials said a call was received at about 10:24 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 reporting a home invasion in progress. The caller was not a resident of the home but a friend of the victims who was on a FaceTime video call with them when she witnessed them being ambushed and assaulted, police said. The call was disconnected during the attack.

Investigators said four armed men — carrying rifles and handguns — had staked out the residence before stealthily approaching the home and confronting the people inside. Officers said one resident was pistol-whipped and handcuffed while the suspects demanded money, firearms and other valuables.

The assault was interrupted when officers arrived at the scene, police said, and the four suspects fled into a heavily wooded area nearby.

Multiple agencies joined the search using drones, K-9 units and a Michigan State Police aviation unit. Three suspects were taken into custody during the initial search, police said.

The fourth suspect remained at large for about 11 hours. Police said a resident called in a tip after seeing a man leave the wooded area along Wear Road and get into a waiting vehicle. Officers took the man into custody around 9:30 a.m. Friday, according to police reports.

Long-time Sumpter Township Trustee Tim Rush said police reports indicated officers were on the scene within 3 minutes of the initial report and in about 2 minutes when the call about the fourth suspect was received. Rush said he was told that none of the suspects spoke English and an interpreter had to be called from another department following the arrests. He said his information was that all four suspects were illegal immigrants.

“Our police department proved how professional and efficient these officers are,” Rush said. “This is such a safe community because of them.”

Police said the victims' dog, named Chip, went missing during the chaos of the home invasion, but was later found and returned home.

The Sumpter Township Police Department credited assisting agencies, including the Huron Township, Van Buren, Pittsfield Township, Milan and Monroe police departments, the Huron-Clinton Metropark Police, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office, and Michigan State Police canine, aviation and emergency services units.

Anthony Carlo Marquez, 39, Einer Eloy Altamirano Barbosa, 24, and Gilbert David Machado Gonzalez, 20, all of Detroit, along with Jesus D. Blanco Amador, 34, of Cornelia, Georgia, have been arraigned on charges of one count of armed robbery, one count of first-degree home invasion, one count of felonious assault, two counts of unlawful imprisonment and four counts of felony firearm - pneumatic gun.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sumpter Township Police Department Detective Bureau at (734) 461-4833, ext. 4.

Serving a purpose

Rotary A.M. spaghetti dinners support community groups, students

The large canvas tote bags loaded with an authentic Italian dinner prepared by members of the Rotary Club of Plymouth A.M. during the Fall Festival are much more than a welcome convenience.

The bags are a symbol of support for a long list of community projects and services the club supports.

The Rotary Club of Plymouth A.M. celebrated the 30^th anniversary of the club this year, noted charter member Kate Rosevear.

Rosevear, who remains active with the club, which was founded in 1996, said the morning club members are still “doing a lot of good” in the Plymouth Community and throughout the world. “The club is small, but mighty,” she added.

Proceeds from this 18^th annual spaghetti dinner set for Saturday, Sept. 12 will be used to provide scholarships for Plymouth-Canton area students who have overcome significant challenges in completing classes to graduate from high school; to help fund the Plymouth Champions Program at Starkweather Academy; to provide complete Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas household essential items to 20 Plymouth families; to maintain two eco-friendly rain gardens and three Little Libraries in Plymouth; to support the Plymouth Canton Community Schools Mental Health and Well Being Fair; to provide financial and other assistance to the autistic and differently-abled members of the community through ParcLifeNow; and to continue to produce and provide the “Waving the Flag for Veterans” program through the streets of Plymouth in May and November. 

Again, this year the dinners will include a large portion of Mama Mucci’s spaghetti with an authentic Italian marinara sauce topped with two generous-sized meatballs. The meatballs can be excluded for vegetarians, organizers noted. Also included is a special Italian Coleslaw salad, champagne-garlic bread from The Whitney in Detroit, a Jimmy John’s colossal chocolate chip cookie, a bottle of spring water, and specialty coffees provided by Alwadi Café.

Pre-event tickets for dinners are $12.50 per adult while tickets purchased at the dinner or on Saturday are priced at $15 per adult. As has been traditional, dinners for children 5 and younger are free with the purchase of an adult meal, on a one-to-one basis. Tickets can be purchased in advance from any member of the morning Rotary Club; by credit card online at www.plymouthamrotary.org; or by cash or check at Travel Leaders, 44623 Five Mile Road at Sheldon Road, (734) 455-5810. Tickets can also be purchased at the bar at E.G. Nick’s, the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, or at the Fall Fest Dinner Ticket booth at Penniman and Main Street, Friday night or Saturday until noon during the Fall Festival.

The popular drive-through carry-out service will be available from 3 until 7 p.m. Saturday, or until the dinners are sold out.

The Rotary Club of Plymouth A.M. members meet for breakfast early Tuesday mornings and have guest speakers twice a month, Rosevear said.  Meetings take place from 7 until 8:15 a.m. at the Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex, Door 15. Individuals who subscribe to a “Service Above Self” attitude are invited to come “try us on.” No reservations are needed.

Visit www.plymouthamrotary.org for more information.

New trustee appointed to serve on Plymouth Township Board

The Plymouth Township Board of Trustees voted 6-0 Aug. 25 to appoint Joe Reilly to the board, filling a seat left vacant when Trustee Mark Clinton submitted his resignation.

Township Clerk Kim Gaedeke swore Reilly into office during the regular meeting. He will serve the remainder of Clinton's term, which expires in 2028.

"I want to thank the members of the board," Reilly said after the vote. "I look forward to serving the township."

Reilly, 31, has lived in the township for seven years and is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. He has served for about a year and a half on the township Zoning Board of Appeals, where he is currently vice chairman.

Township Supervisor Chuck Curmi said seven people applied for the seat and trustees interviewed four finalists individually before selecting Reilly. Board members pointed to the "generational representation" Reilly could bring given his age.

Reilly described more than a decade of experience in operations, financial accountability and high-stakes negotiations, including work as an operations director in the automotive industry, where he oversaw teams nationwide and led contract negotiations with the United Auto Workers. He said that background prepared him to handle high-pressure situations, listen carefully and protect long-term interests of the township.

The term was vacant following Clinton’s July resignation, citing what he called his exclusion from the process that led to the appointment of William Ickes, a member of the Plymouth Planning Commission as Trustee Jennifer Buckley's replacement earlier that month. Clinton said he was not told a candidate had already been selected before the July 21 vote of the board members confirming that appointment.

In his resignation letter, Clinton said elected trustees should be included in major decisions and that residents deserve an open, transparent and collaborative process.

Reilly's appointment is the latest development in months of turnover on the seven-member board.

Buckley resigned earlier this year after buying a home outside the township. Former Clerk Jerry Vorva resigned effective March 13, and after weeks of public disagreement among board members, trustees appointed Kim Gaedeke — former head of the University of Michigan's Opioid Research Institute — as clerk on May 12. Curmi pushed for a unanimous vote on Gaedeke's appointment, calling the preceding weeks "a very low point in the history of Plymouth Township."

Treasurer Bob Doroshewitz told the board at a June 23 meeting that he plans to resign later this year or in early 2027, though he said the decision was unrelated to the internal conflicts of the board members.

A lawsuit stemming from the turmoil remains pending: Vorva has sued Trustee John Stewart, alleging Stewart lunged at him during a closed-session meeting and created a “hostile working environment.” Stewart has denied the allegation.

Suspect faces felony charges in dollar store stabbing

A 22-year-old Inkster man is facing multiple felony charges in the stabbing of a 63-year-old woman at a local dollar store.

Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Stephen Patrick Ross, Jr., in connection with the non-fatal stabbing of a Phyllis Robinson of Westland.

Inkster Police were dispatched to a dollar store at about 2:49 p.m. Aug. 24 in response to a reported stabbing, according to a statement from Worthy’s office.

When officers arrived at the store located in the 100 block of Inkster Road, they observed the victim inside the store, suffering from multiple stab wounds to her head, back, and arms. Medics arrived on the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment, where she was reported in critical condition due to her injuries.

It is alleged that Ross used a knife that was for sale in the store to stab the victim multiple times. The defendant and the victim did not know each other, according to police reports.

Ross has been charged with one count of assault with intent to murder, one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and one count of felonious assault. He was arraigned in 22^nd District Court before Judge Sabrina Johnson and remanded to jail.

“This incident is a disturbing act of violence, and we want our residents to know that violence of this nature will not be tolerated in the city of Inkster. Every person should be able to shop, work, and live in our community without fear of becoming the victim of a random act of violence,” said Inkster Police Chief Tamika L. Jenkins in a statement.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family as she receives medical treatment. We also commend the responding officers for their professionalism and swift response in addressing this incident,” she added. “Our primary concern remains the well-being of Ms. Robinson. We ask our community to keep her and her family, and everyone affected by this incident in your thoughts as we hope for her continued recovery,” the chief concluded.

Registration for Romulus Pumpkin Festival 5K run available

The 28th annual Pumpkin Festival will gather the community at Romulus Historical Park Sept. 18, 19 and 20 for a weekend including live music, food, crafts, and games for all ages.

The event begins with the traditional Rotary Club Parade of Lights, where everything is aglow, from bicycles to cement trucks. Thousands of people line Goddard Road to view the fun-filled lighted parade exhibits. Questions about this event should be directed to the Romulus Rotary Facebook Information is available on the Romulus Rotary webpage or by email at romulus.rotary@gmail.com. There is no fee to enter the parade, but a $10 donation is usually requested. The only requirement for entry is that the float or vehicle be completely lighted, the more lights the better, organizers said.

More information about the festival is available at pumpkinfestival@romulusgov.com 

Registration for Punkie's 5k Run Walk/Ride will be accepted until Aug. 29. Punkie’s 5K, is a family-friendly run/walk/bike through the heart of the historic city, organizers said. It is suitable for both seasoned runners chasing a personal best or those just looking for a fun way to stay active.
The Pumpkin Pub will be open Friday and Saturday at the park and the Romulus Fire Department will host a Pancake Breakfast at the Park Pavilion from 8 until 11 a.m. Saturday. Live entertainment will continue throughout the weekend at the Freight House Stage, the Gazebo Patio and the Main Stage in the park. The Pumpkin Painting Tent will be open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Inflatable Bounce Houses will be on site, and Bingo will be sponsored by the Greater Romulus Chamber of Commerce from 11 a.m. until 8 on Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The unique and popular Pumpkin Chuckin’ competition is set for 4 until 5 p.m. on Saturday and the traditional Romulus Got Talent Competition will close the festival from 4 until 6 p.m. Sunday.

Community calendar

City-wide Garage Sale planned

 The free fall city-wide yard sale will take place in Romulus Sept. 24 through Sept. 27.

Registrations received by Friday, Sept. 18, will be included in a list of participating addresses published in The Eagle newspaper.

Contact the clerk's office at (734) 942-7540, clerk@romulusgov.com for more information.

Applications are available at: https://www.romulusgov.com/.../Spring-Fall-Citywide...

 

Firefighters broil chicken

The Sumpter Township Fire Department and MAFF 343 will host the annual Chicken Broil from noon until 5 p.m. Sept. 13. This is the return of the event since it was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

Dinners, priced at $15, include a half, chicken, corn on the cob, Cole slaw, roll, and beverage.

The dinners will be served at the fire station, 20550 Sumpter Road in Belleville.

 

Plymouth Fall Festival nears

The 69^th Annual Plymouth Fall Festival and Rotary Chicken Barbeque is set for Sept. 11, 12 and 13 this year.

Tickets for the famous Sunday Chicken Barbeque are priced at $17 presale and $20 the day of the event.

Organizers said the traditional event, which is a fundraiser for charities, civic organizations and school events will include the popular attractions and some new features.

 

17^th Annual Blues, Brats and Bands returning to Canton

The 17th annual Canton Brews, Brats, and Bands will take place at Preservation Park from 6 until 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. The event offers craft beer enthusiasts and attendees aged 21 and older a variety of drinks, bratwurst,  live music, and other attractions.

Tickets are $45 plus a per-ticket service charge and can only be purchased online at Beerfests.com by searching Canton, MI. Designated driver tickets are just $15, plus a per-ticket service charge

For more information on Brews, Brats, and Bands, visit www.cantonfun.org.