Suspect in gas stations burglaries in six cities arrested

Royal Oak police early Friday morning arrested a man they say stole over $1,300 worth of cigarettes from two gas stations, and is a suspect in five other such burglaries in Macomb County and another in Birmingham. The suspect, 48, of Fraser is awaiting arraignment and police would not release his name.

He first burglarized a BP station at 4727 Coolidge in Royal Oak on Monday. The suspect used a tool to twist the lock off the entry door.

Police said he stole about 20 cartons of cigarettes valued at about $1,200, $20 in loose change and another $100 worth of individual packs of smokes.

A Royal Oak police detective was familiar with the suspect and an undercover unit set up surveillance on the suspect.

The Fraser man is also suspected of burglarizing gas stations for cigarettes in Warren, Clinton Township. Mount Clemens, two in Sterling Heights and another in Birmingham.

Friday morning police said they first saw the man unsuccessfully try to break into an Amoco station at 28610 Woodward. Police followed him from there to the BP gas station at 28992 Woodward and watched him break in shortly after 3 a.m.

“He filled a duffle bag with cigarettes, 30 packs of e-cigarette cartridges and some cash,” said Royal Oak police Lt. Albert Carter.

Police followed the suspect as he drove away, did a traffic stop and arrested him for breaking and entering, and possessing burglary tools..