Crime & Safety

Social Media 101: Don't Tweet Out-of-Town Plans

After a Bloomfield Township resident told Twittersphere that he planned to be out of town, three teens allegedly targeted his home for a break-in.

If a Bloomfield Township resident had it to do over, he probably wouldn’t have hit the “Tweet” button on a post letting Twittersphere know he planned to “be out of town for a few days.”

That’s why police think three Bloomfield Hills High School students, including a star member of the team that just barely missed winning the Class A state championship Saturday, allegedly targeted his home on Cambridge Way on Feb. 17.

The three allegedly stole more than $3,000 worth of items, including cash, designer athletic shoes and headphones, WDIV-TV (Channel 4) reports. Police think they may also be responsible for a March 7 home invasion in 100 block of East Hickory Grove, where cash and designer athletic shoes were also stolen.

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Arrested were Khalil Gracey, 17; Michael Pickens, 17; and Carrington Simons, 18, all of Bloomfield HIlls. Each faces two counts of second-degree home  invasion, a 15-year felony.

Gracey was a star basketball player for the Bloomfield Hills Black Hawks, but the all-league forward was suspended before the state tournament after school officials learned of his alleged part in the home invasions, MIPrepZone is reporting.

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Gracey was allowed to sit on the bench during the semifinal and championship games, but he was not allowed to play.

The three are expected to appear in court again Tuesday.


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