Dearborn Heights Officers Utilize Binoculars to Catch Car Break-in Suspects Hiding Under Van

Dearborn Heights police arrested two suspects for breaking into unlocked cars after an officer spotted them using binoculars. One was caught hiding under a van.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 6:46 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from FOX 2 Detroit

Surveillance and Capture

The incident unfolded around 3 a.m. Sunday in a Dearborn Heights neighborhood as an officer, positioned in the area for a different matter, noticed suspicious activity. Utilizing binoculars, the officer monitored the suspects as they moved through the street, testing door handles of parked vehicles. According to Dearborn Heights Police Chief Michael Guzowski, the officer moved in to confront the pair once he witnessed them successfully entering a car. The suspects immediately fled on foot, leading to a brief search of the surrounding properties.

Discovery in the Driveway

Home security footage played a pivotal role in documenting the arrests. Ring doorbell video from a nearby home shows officers surrounding a parked van where one of the suspects had attempted to take cover. The footage illustrates the moment police located the individual hiding beneath the vehicle. Chief Guzowski noted that the suspects appeared to be searching for easily accessible valuables, including cash, loose change, and small electronics left in unsecured cabins.

Suspect Status and Legal Proceedings

Following the coordinated response, both suspects were taken into custody. The adult suspect remains held pending a formal arraignment at the local courthouse. The second suspect, identified as a minor, was processed and subsequently released into the custody of a guardian. However, the Chief emphasized that the juvenile may still face formal charges as the investigation into the night's string of attempted thefts continues.