Teens Alert Police to Burglary in Progress, Hide in Closet

Two quick thinking Canton teenagers gave police a heads up about a robbery in progress Monday, then hid in an upstairs closet until authorities could arrive.

Michael Toth, 28, of Garden City was arrested before he could leave the house where the teens were hiding with jewelry and jewelry boxes he’d grabbed after prying open the door of a house on Emerald Pines Drive, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Toth’s arrest helped the Canton Police Department clear up at least four other burglaries, Chief Debra Newsome said, and it may help other area departments do the same.

Until his arrest, Toth wasn’t on authorities’ “radar” in two recent break-ins and other attempted burglaries, the deputy chief said, but she added Toth is “no stranger to law enforcement.”

After the 17-year-old boy and his 16-year-old sister called police after hearing loud banging sounds as Toth allegedly broke into the house, the dispatcher advised them to hide. They remained on the line until police could arrive.

Toth was arraigned one nine charges Thursday in 35th District Court in Plymouth. The most serious of the charges, home invasion, carries a possible 20-year sentence. Judge Michael Gerou set his bail at 10 percent of $1.5 million.