WARREN, Mich. (WXYZ) — For the first time we're hearing from the alert Warren resident who spotted the elusive Karen Spranger at a coffee shop.
On Thursday afternoon, Jeremiah Hoehner walked into the Tim Horton's at 12 and Mound to get some coffee and that's when he saw a woman in sunglasses and a hoodie sitting at a table.
"For a minute I had to register that I really was seeing what I was seeing, but I was trusting my gut on it," says Hoehner. "She had a laptop, papers strewn about and she was on the phone. As soon as I opened the door, I immediately recognized her - even with the sunglasses and hoodie."
Warren police had been searching for Spranger for two months so they could talk to her about a theft investigation.
She was accused of stealing $1,660 from a 78 year-old woman who police say she was supposed to be taking care of.
Hoehner says he had been following the news surrounding Spranger and had seen the news conference the day before announcing that Spranger was being charged with larceny. He also heard police say that they were still searching for Spranger.
"Because of that press conference, I knew Warren Police were looking for her. It was definitely top of mind and I knew I had to make a phone call. I wouldn't have felt right if I left there and didn't even try to call somebody," he says.
Hoehner called his friend who is a Warren police officer. Soon enough this gut instinct was proven true. That was Karen Spranger at the Tim Horton's.
Police confirmed her identity and arrested her without incident.
On Thursday, Spranger faced a judge and was charged with larceny - which is a felony. She had no comment in court or afterwards.
Her attorney says she maintains her innocence.
She was released on a $3,000 personal bond. She's expected back in court on May 14th.
Meanwhile, Hoehner says he was just in the "right place at the right time," but he's glad he was able to help.
"I think it's incumbent on you to make the phone call," he says. "Just to try to do the right thing."
