PRESS RELEASE  

For Immediate Release

April 3, 2009

Village of Holly, Michigan 48442

Holly Police end Home Invasion Crime Spree

Today Holly Police arrested three suspects involved with a home invasion crime spree in the Holly area.  For several months, the Holly Police Department has collected evidence, followed up on leads, canvassed neighborhoods, and walked door to door to speak with area residents raising awareness and searching for clues. 

On Friday, three (3) people were arrested in connection with nine (9) break-ins going back to June 2008.  The trio has been lodged at the Oakland County Jail and arraigned on the ten count Felony Warrant; 9 counts home invasion (15 year Felony) and 1 count safe breaking (Life or any term of years).

Acting on a tip last week, Holly Police Officers Heather Wolkow and Julie Bemus worked seven days straight, breaking the case wide open; ending the crime spree.  Holly Police Chief Rollie Gackstetter said, The entire police department took these home invasions personal and we were committed to catching these people.  The arrests are the result of a team effort, with Officer Wolkow and Officer Bemus taking the lead to put these people behind bars.

The investigation heated up last week when the ring leader was implicated in a tip to police by one of his acquaintances.  The investigating officers jumped on this information, interviews were conducted that led to the execution of a search warrant at a Holly Apartment.  The evidence collected from the search warrant connected the suspects to some of the crimes and then the hard work and determination by Officers Heather Wolkow, Julie Bemus and Francis Tull pulled together the loose ends.

The people arrested; JUAN RODRIGUEZ  Age 52 of Holly; SHERYL SHERWOOD Age 49 of Holly Township; and AARON KURMAS age 39 of Holly are suspected of committing as many as 20 home invasions in the Holly Area and stealing thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry.  Some stolen property has been recovered, but the vast majority was disposed of quickly by the suspects immediately after the crimes.  SHERWOOD and KURMAS have little prior criminal history, but the ring-leader, JUAN RODRIGUEZ has an extensive criminal history including Breaking & Entering, Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property and Assault with intent to commit Murder.  RODRIGUEZ has served more than 14 years in prison and was currently out on Parole for Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property. 

Home invasion is a property crime, but it attacks our very personal feelings of being safe in our own home, Gackstetter said.  The suspects rampage is over and our community can breathe a sigh of relief.

LEFT TO RIGHT PATROL OFFICERS
JULIE BEMUS; FRANCIS TULL; HEATHER WOLKOW