Serial gas station burglary suspect faces charges Watches, electronics stolen from home undergoing renovations

A man suspected of stealing over $1,300 worth of cigarettes and other items from two Royal Oak gas stations just over a week ago has been charged.

The suspect, Scotty Hester, 46, is also suspected of similar burglaries at gas stations in Warren, Clinton Township. Mount Clemens, two in Sterling Heights and another in Birmingham.

Hester is currently on parole for burglary.

In Royal Oak he is now charged with four felony burglary counts and possession of burglary tools.

His bond is set at $10,000, 10 percent, and his next court date is pending.

Late last month, police said Hester first burglarized a BP station at 4727 Coolidge in Royal Oak. A Royal Oak police detective was familiar with the suspect and an undercover unit set up surveillance on the suspect.

Royal Oak police said they first saw the suspect unsuccessfully try to break into an Amoco station at 28610 Woodward on Dec. 4.

Police followed him from there to the BP gas station at 28992 Woodward and watched him break in shortly after 3 a.m.

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

A man having renovations done at his house in the 1600 block of North Altadena found someone stole a number of items from the house.

He told police he returned to his house Dec. 9 and found someone stole two watches, a video game and a Nintendo console.

The items are worth a total of about $400.

Police said someone got inside the house through a bedroom window.