VIDEO: Police Looking For Man Caught on Tape Breaking into Northville Township Home

Northville Township police are looking for a man caught on videotape breaking into a home off of Seven Mile Road west of Haggerty Road.

The man is said to have gone door-to-door to at least two houses on the same street on July 14. Police believed he was posing as a salesman, based on the papers and folder in his hands, before breaking into the second home.

Detective Lieutenant Michael Wildt said that the man stopped at one home but left after determining someone was inside. He proceeded to a second house where no one was home, but the surveillance camera was rolling, and broke in.

Police issued a description, based on the homeowner's surveillance video. The man is described as in his 20s to early 40s. He is approximately 6 feet tall and 200 to 220 pounds. He appears to have a muscular build and was wearing a dark baseball cap, white V-neck shirt, dark baggy knee-length shorts and dark gym shoes at the time of the break-in.

The surveillance video shows the man pulling in front of the house in a Lincoln MKZ, a 2007 to 2009 model, four door sedan in a metallic gold or silver color. The man got out, knocked on the door and waited several minutes for an answer.

Then he pulled his car next to the house’s side door, where police say he broke in. While inside, the man stole jewelry, electronics and cash, Wildt said.

Before stopping at the second house, police said the surveillance camera shows the man driving past before returning.

“Many times if someone drives past and goes back, it’s because there are no cars in the driveway,” Wildt said.

That signals, he said, to the would-be thief, that no one is home. Many times, thieves do exactly what this man did, he said: knock on the door to determine whether someone is home or not. And if someone answers, the person will have sales spiel prepared.

There are some things people can do to safeguard themselves, he said. Locking doors and calling to report suspicious activity are important. Keeping garage doors shut to prevent crimes of opportunity, when someone can steal visible and easily accessible items.

In this case, though, Wildt said, “they did everything right.”

Police are continuing to investigate and ask anyone with information to call the station at 248-349-9400.