13-year-old suspect arrested in home invasions targeting young girls in Pontiac, Detroit

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - A 13-year-old suspect has been arrested for multiple break-ins, including one instance where he choked a young girl while armed with a knife.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the suspect is a "tall 13-year-old" and has been connected to 11 such break-ins including nine in Pontiac and two in Detroit.

Bouchard said the suspect was armed with a knife in at least three incidents. He added that the parent has been cooperative.

"They were very willing to bring this individual to our substation and allow our process to move forward," he said. "Like most parents, they want to know what's going on with their child - especially if they are on a path that is very bad."

The suspect targeted homes with young girls inside, the sheriff said. Information from public tips and a dogged investigation led to the arrest.

Bouchard said the parent told investigators that they knew the teen was having some issues, but nothing to this extent. 

There was supposed to be a hearing at Children's Village on Friday but it has been adjourned until Monday. 

"I felt it was important to let the community know they can take a breath," Bouchard said. "We know there were residents out patrolling the streets on their own.  I wanted the community to bring it down a notch in terms of their anxiety and fear.

"This is the worst nightmare for any parent that someone might be trying to climb in through their window to get at their kids, especially a young girl." 

The backstory:

The break-ins date back to Dec. 23, taking place between 3 and 7 a.m. Each time, the suspect broke in through an unlocked window in the same Pontiac neighborhood during the six-week period.

"He is going through open windows. This particular time he was going after a 10-year-old girl, and he was frightened off by her screams," said Oakland County Sheriff Sgt. Sam James.