Group of fake utility workers thwarted in Eastpointe

EASTPOINTE, Mich. (WJBK) - A crew of would-be thieves tried to break into an Eastpointe home, until a neighbor stepped in.

Police say four men impersonating utility workers tried to force their way inside the resident's home. One man wore a construction vest and a hard hat went to the front door. The other three had their faces covered and went to a side door.

"A neighbor called him and said there is somebody at your door he said he heard it but thought it was a solicitor and the neighbor said there's two more guys around the house go see what's going on."

Police say the 28-year-old homeowner came outside and confronted the suspect on his porch. That's when the three suspects at the side door became afraid and got away in a vehicle.

"I spoke to the young man who lives over there," said neighbor Gabriele Leigh. "And I said, 'Honey are you okay' and he says no, 'I'm kind of shook up,'"

The neighbor, who told the homeowner, went after them, but the suspect on the porch fired his gun hitting the neighbor's car.

Police say the neighbor was not injured but he hit some parked cars as he got away.

Investigators say the homeowner went inside his house and shut the door and as the suspect walked away he was spotted by police who recovered the weapon and took him into custody.

Police say he's 18 year old Stefhen Christian from Detroit. He's charged with several felonies and is being held on a 500,000 bond.

Also arrested was 18-year-old Angelo Barrios-Agee of St. Clair Shores and charged with two felonies and is being held on a 50,000 bond.

Police say two other people were taken into custody but have not been charged.

The investigation is still underway, but police say this was not a random act.