A Rochester Hills man who was apprehended by Shelby Township police early this year on a nine-year old warrant pleaded guilty last week to two felony fraud charges.
Steve John, 39, entered pleas in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens to false pretenses under $20,000 and conspiracy to commit false pretenses under $20,000 for a June 2015 incident in Shelby Township.
John was arrested last February after Shelby Township police received a call that a suspicious suspect was on his way to pick up $8,500 from an 88-year-man in the township. While investigating that incident, officers noticed a Dodge Ram pickup truck being driven slowly up and down the same street.
Officers watched as the truck pulled into a driveway and a male occupant converse in the driveway with an 84-year-old homeowner. After the suspect entered the man’s home, detectives intervened and the homeowner said the suspect randomly came to his home to offer to do cement repairs, which law enforcement officials have described as a common scam tactic used against senior citizens.
Police questioned the suspect and two other cohorts who were inside the pickup truck. One of the occupants was John, who was arrested on the outstanding warrant. Details of the 2015 incident were unavailable.
As part of a plea deal with Macomb prosecutors, if John pays $9,500 in restitution within 11 months of his Sept. 24 sentencing and complies with probation terms, the charges will be dismissed by Judge Richard Caretti.
John remains free after posting a $25,000 bond.