Gas cans in van found in Frankenmuth

Police in Frankenmuth are investigating an incident after they arrested a man nearby a vehicle loaded with 16 gas cans.

(Courtesy | Frankenmuth Police Department)

FRANKENMUTH, MI — A 52-year-old Clio man was arrested in connection with a fuel theft in Frankenmuth, and police believe he may be involved in "dozens" of fuel thefts in as many as four counties.

The Frankenmuth Police Department and Michigan State Police responded Friday, Aug. 23, at 1:24 a.m. to a report of a suspicious vehicle on South Block Road north of East Townline in Frankenmuth Township, police said.

The caller advised Saginaw County Central Dispatch that a suspicious vehicle had entered the neighbor’s property and was parked by an outbuilding, Frankenmuth Chief of Police Don Mawer said.

Upon arrival, officers observed a male run from an outbuilding on the property into a bean field.

Officers then located a red van backed up to an outdoor gasoline storage container, and after a brief search of the area, observed the man in the field. The man ran and police apprehended him after a short foot chase, police said.

Investigators have identified the suspect and believe he may be connected with dozens of fuel thefts spanning multiple counties including Genesee, Saginaw and Tuscola and possibly Shiawassee, Mawer said.

The vehicle the suspect drove to the scene contained 16 five-gallon gasoline containers, some full of gasoline. Police also found in the vehicle a ledger containing locations and addresses with outdoor fuel storage containers and many items described as miscellaneous pieces of jewelry.

The suspect was wanted on charges stemming from an assault in Frankenmuth where someone sprayed a group of people with pepper spray after a verbal confrontation and vehicle assault in January 2013, police said.

"The allegations are that he drove fast through parking lots, and somebody hollered at him to slow down," Mawer said, adding that several others then came over to talk to the man.

When some of the people walked behind the vehicle to look at the license plate, the driver attempted to back into the people twice, Mawer said.

The driver then "pulled out huge can of pepper spray, the kind hunters use for bear attacks, and sprayed the group out the window as he fled," Mawer said.

The suspect was lodged at the Saginaw County Jail on the warrant, and charges are being sought for felony theft, possession of burglary tools, resisting and obstructing a police officer and habitual offender due to multiple previous felony convictions.

The man remained jailed and had not been arraigned as of Monday, Aug. 26, Mawer said.

The Frankenmuth Police Department and the Michigan State Police are investigating the incident.

Mawer said Monday, Aug. 26, that detectives were planning to meet with the Saginaw County Prosecutor's Office about the case.