LYON TOWNSHIP (WXYZ) — A man and woman are facing several charges after being arrested and allegedly posing as law enforcement.
Leonard Harris, 51, and Leanne Garcia-Stowe, 24, both of Lyon Township, were arrested after deputies with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office pulled them over on May 16 and found various forms of police paraphernalia, including a blue and red LED flashing light, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a police-style badge, a set of handcuffs, a police scanner and a spotlight.
Deputies also located a plastic straw with what's suspected to be cocaine residue, investigators say.
The two were pulled over while driving a 2010 Dodge Durango on May 16 in the area of 400 Boyne St. Harris, who was allegedly the driver of the Durango, appeared to be shadowing detectives through a mobile home community. When the dectives saw a police-style light often used by officers, they stopped the Durango and recognized Harris as a convicted felon.
An OCSO K-9 deputy did a narcotics search of the vehicle, which led to detectives finding the law enforcement-like materials.
A vehicle search resulted in finding the following items:
- An operational clear dash bar that had police style lighting
- Handheld police scanner
- Windshield mounted video camera
- A handheld spotlight
- An oval, gold police style badge
- Handcuffs with a pouch
- 2 handguns – 9mm and a starter pistol
- Multiple loaded magazines
- Vehicle had a US Army Military Police Emblem on the rear window
- Harris has a prior murder conviction
Harris admitted to deputies in an interview that he had used the equipment, such as the spotlight. in the metro Detroit area.
Additionally, detectives say there were two small children, ages 2 and 1, in the vehicle at the time of the search. Those children were turned over to family at the scene.
Both the driver, 51-year-old Harris, and the passenger, 24-year-old Garcia-Stowe were arrested and taken to Oakland County Jail.
Harris is charged with weapons, ammunition possession by a felon; possession of cocaine less than 25 grams and use/possession of flashing lights.
Garcia-Stowe is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of cocaine less than 25 grams.
Harris was given a $5,000 cash/surety bond or 10 percent, while Garcia-Stowe was given a $5,000 personal bond. Neither are being held at Oakland County Jail at the moment.
Sheriff's deputies are asking if you've come in contact with the defendants as they were allegedly posing as law enforcement, then contact Crime Stoppers at 800-Speak-Up. There is a reward of $1,000 available for additional information leading to victims of this crime.
