7 carjacking suspects arrested • New photos of UnitedHealthcare CEO's killer • Sex trafficking busts
MONDAY NEWS HIT - Seven suspects who police believe are connected to five carjackings are in custody after trying to steal a vehicle in front of Detroit police over the weekend.
According to interim Chief Todd Bettison, members of the Commercial Auto Theft Unit were keeping an eye on a group known for carjackings in the area of Outer Drive and Conant. Police said the suspects are believed to be connected to five carjackings that happened within a 48-hour period.
While patrolling, they saw one of the suspects point a gun at the back of the driver of a Dodge Durango at a gas station. After witnessing this, officers got involved. That's when the suspect pointed the gun at officers, who opened fire, hitting the suspect in the arm.
The other suspects ran away, but were caught not far from the scene.
"Less than a mile away, the suspects were apprehended," Bettison said. "As a result of them being off the streets right now, the city of Detroit is a safer place."
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'Detroit is a safer place': 7 suspects in custody after 5 carjackings, attempted theft at gas station
Detroit police shot and wounded a carjacking suspect after he pointed a rifle at officers while trying to steal a Dodge Durango at a gas station Saturday night, authorities said.
New images released of UnitedHealthcare CEO's killer
New images released by police late Saturday show the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson boarding a taxi.
The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask.
NYPD divers return to Central Park on Sunday, as they searched for evidence, including the gunman's firearm.
Police believe that after stalking and shooting the Fortune 500 CEO in the ambush attack early Wednesday, the gunman boarded a bike, ditched evidence in Central Park, then hailed a taxi cab on the Upper West Side.
The cab took the gunman to George Washington Bridge Bus Station, where the killer likely boarded a bus to flee New York City, investigators believe.
Though police still do not know the name of the suspect, they have images of him briefly showing his smile at the Upper West Side hostel where he stayed after arriving in New York City on Nov. 24.
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New images show UnitedHealthcare CEO killing suspect in taxi
New images released by police late Saturday show the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson boarding a taxi.
LaFontaine of Livonia agrees to fines
A car dealership accused of falsifying documents to make it appear that used leased vehicles were new.
State officials say they suspended the license of LaFontaine of Livonia for "imminent harm to the public" and that the dealership, also known as "LaFontaine Hyundai of Livonia" admitted to quote, "Fraudulent acts in connection with selling or otherwise dealing in vehicles."
Among the violations triggering the state action: "Improper odometer disclosure" and "improper use of dealer plates," and now some buyers are coming forward with their own questions about experiences they’ve had.
LaFontaine claims the dealership isn't to blame, citing a clerical error.
The dealership responded to the issue, saying in part:
"…this decision stems from a clerical error during the unwinding of a transaction and CVR processing.
"We want to be clear: we find these actions of those involved completely unacceptable. Immediate ramifications have been enforced for those involved, and we are conducting a thorough review of all policies and procedures to ensure such incidents never happen again. The trust and confidence of our valued guests are paramount, and we take this matter with the utmost seriousness."
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LaFontaine of Livonia agrees to fines for allegedly falsifying documents
LaFontaine Motors of Livonia will now pay several fines and penalties after having its dealership license suspended by the Michigan Department of State, who accused them of falsifying documents to lease used cars as new ones.
Sex trafficking suspect's arraignment
An Allen Park man is facing felony charges after authorities say he was trafficking women out of a home he owned in Southgate.
Michael Richard Navoy, 70, is expected to be arraigned Monday on charges of accepting earnings from a prostitute, human trafficking - forced labor resulting in commercial sexual activity, human trafficking - forced labor, using a computer to commit a crime, and keeping a house of prostitution.
Navoy was arrested Friday.
"It is alleged that defendant Navoy engaged in human trafficking and operating a house of prostitution in Southgate, Michigan," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. "As a result of the combined efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies working together, this defendant will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Navoy's arrest came amid a flurry of sex trafficking arrests in Metro Detroit on the same day. Those arrests involved massage parlors.
Authorities targeted massage parlors where Chinese and Korean women were allegedly forced to work.
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70-year-old man accused of trafficking women out of Southgate home
An Allen Park man is facing felony charges after authorities say he was trafficking women out of a home he owned in Southgate.
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What else we're watching
- A Chilean national who police say was not supposed to be in the United States is facing charges in connection with high-end home break-ins in Oakland County. Vania Herrera Valdes was arrested and charged last week.
- Gas prices in Michigan are down 14 cents from a week ago, with drivers paying an average of $2.94 per gallon, according to AAA.
- For the second weekend in a row, a driver crashed while going the wrong way on the Lodge Freeway. The 58-year-old man hit a DDOT bus near Log Cabin Avenue early Saturday and was killed.
- A woman accused of abusing a child she was babysitting is set to be in court Monday as her trial gets underway. Iesha Harris is charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse in connection to Harmoni Henderson's death earlier this year.
- Police are investigating a fatal crash over the weekend after a driver hit a pillar on I-275, causing their SUV to catch fire. The driver was killed in the crash early Sunday, while a passenger was ejected and hurt.
Jay-Z releases statement after being accused of raping child
Jay-Z is firing back at allegations that he raped a 13-year-old girl along with Sean "Diddy" Combs at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000.
The rapper and mogul released a statement and denied the allegations, while questioning attorney Tony Buzbee, who is associated with the lawsuit.
"My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a lawyer named Tony Buzbee. What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle."
"No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!"
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Jay-Z releases statement after being accused in lawsuit of raping 13-year-old girl with Diddy
"These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!," the rapper wrote in a statement.