GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The man police say stole a couch then returned days later to grab matching cushions and a rug to tie the room together, has been arrested.



Michael Deon McClerin is not facing theft charges at this time; he was arrested by Grand Rapids Police for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Police believe it was 41-year-old McClerin who broke into the Gorman’s Home Furnishings store, 2320 28th Street SE, on March 3 and left with a high-end leather couch worth more than $6,500.

Police say he returned six days later to pick up the cushions and a rug.

Manager Duane Petroeksy said on March 9 that burglars broke through the high-end furniture store’s rear entrance windows.

The break-in occurred about three hours before the store’s noon opening.

Related: Furniture thieves return for cushions after sofa heist this week on 28th Street

Police believe he is also responsible for a break-in at other home furnishing stores where he got away with similarly expensive items.

Police have recovered more than $100,000 in items stolen by McClerin, according to Lt. Patrick Merrill.

In the same week as the Gorman’s robbery, police believe McClerin also broke into The Mattress Store across 28th Street SE from Gorman’s and made off with items including a $5,000 mattress.

Police said evidence from the scenes and additional investigation led them to McClerin, who was allegedly leaving for a trip to Chicago.

McClerin was arrested at a girlfriend’s house in Grand Rapids on Thursday and police say they discovered a receipt for a storage unit that held other stolen items from Gorman’s. The couch and rug have yet to be recovered.

Police arrested McClerin on Thursday, March 20, and he was arraigned in Grand Rapids District Court on Monday. He is scheduled for a probable cause hearing on Monday, March 31, before Judge Michael Christensen.

McClerin has a lengthy criminal record that includes charges of breaking and entering, receiving and concealing stolen property and a laundry list of misdemeanor and traffic offenses.

Merrill said McClerin was not a typical “smash and grab” burglar taking whatever he could get his hands on, but more of a specialist. Police say McClerin “took orders” for specific types of items and then specifically stole those pieces.

Merrill said the damage done to the stores in the course of the robberies is equal to or more than the value of the items stolen.

Police continue to investigate and say charges will be forthcoming.

McClerin remains in the Kent County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

E-mail Barton Deiters: bdeiters@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/GRPBarton or Facebook at facebook.com/bartondeiters.5

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