Police: Mom Drove Getaway Car During Son's Thefts
CHESTERFIELD TWP. (WWJ) - Police say a 40-year-old mom was her son's getaway driver in a series of car and home break-ins in Chesterfield Township.
Joanne Hubbard, her 18-year-old son Ted Ohearn and his 18-year-old roommate Steven Los were charged Wednesday with several felonies, including home invasion, concealing a stolen firearm and receiving stolen property, according to police.
Chesterfield Police say the robberies started August 28, when residents along Jefferson Ave., and in adjacent neighborhoods from Anchor to Sugarbush Road, began reporting an unusually high number of vehicle break-ins. GPS units, cameras, I-pods, phones and money were reported missing.
Two days later, police say residents in these same neighborhoods began calling 911 to report that their homes had been broken into, mentioning break-ins that had occurred during the afternoon and in broad daylight.
One homeowner reported his vehicle stolen, which police recovered a short distance away, apparently abandoned by the suspects after it was involved in an accident. Another resident reported being inside her home when two white male suspects broke a window by her front door, but fled on foot when they realized she was there.
While investigators were documenting the various home invasions, a resident on Jefferson Ave. called 911 to report that he had just arrived home and observed two white males fleeing from inside of his home, carrying his belongings. Chesterfield Twp. Officer Duane VanAcker, who was out on foot, observed the suspects carrying suitcases and backpacks toward a Gray Chevy Blazer that was parked nearby and waiting for them.
As the suspects were loading the stolen items into the Blazer, police closed in and made the arrests without incident. The thieves were identified as Ohearn and Los. The driver of the Blazer was identified as Hubbard, Ohearn's mother.
Upon investigating the Jefferson Ave. apartment complex where the trio lived, officers located a cache of stolen property, including cell phones, laptops, jewelry, televisions and firearms.
The three suspects were arraigned via video at the 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore on Wednesday.
Hubbard is charged with receiving and concealing stolen property, a 5-year felony, and is being held on a $50,000 cash bond.
Ohearn is facing five felony charges, up to 55 years in prison, and is being held on a $75,000 cash bond.
Los is also facing five felony charges, up to 55 years in prison, and is being held on a $50,000 cash bond.
Anyone in the area that recently had property taken from their home or vehicle can call Detective Scott Blackwell directly at 586-949-3269 as the department needs assistance in identifying a large amount of unidentified property.
