Real-Estate Open House Scam Targeted 15 Communities in 3 Counties

In alleged spree that lasted from June to October, two men distracted Realtors and ransacked houses.

By Beth Dalbey (Patch Staff)Updated November 7, 2014 at 5:39 pm  

Police in three Oakland County communities cooperated to track down and arrest a pair of suspects accused of stealing credit cards during several metro area Realtor open houses from June to October.

Charles William Frazier, 39, and Durand Laurent Micheau, 44, both of Detroit, were arraigned in Troy’s 52-4 District Court on charges related to thefts at house showings in 15 communities in three counties, the Troy Police Department said in a news release.

A typical ruse had one of the suspects coaxing the agent outside to look at the back yard or to the basement to inspect the furnace, while the other rifled through the homeowners’ belongings for credit cards and, in some cases, jewelry.

Micheau was arraigned before 52-4 District Court Magistrate Clement J. Waldmann on Nov. 1 and charged with two counts each of larceny in a building and fraudulent use of a financial transaction device. Micheau’s bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety.

He appeared before 52-4 District Judge Kristen Nielsen Hartig for a preliminary exam on Nov. 4.

Frazier was arraigned before 52-4 District Court Magistrate Donald R. Chisolm on Nov. 6 and charged with one count of fraudulent use of a financial transaction device. Bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety.

Frazier’s preliminary exam before Hartig is set for Nov. 12.

Police in Royal Oak and Sterling Heights assisted in the investigation. More charges may be coming from other jurisdictions, according to the release.

Troy police said the case is a reminder of the importance of homeowners securing valuables before open houses, and for Realtors to remain vigilant during house showings.

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Durand Laurent Micheau, left, and Charles William Frazier are charged in a series of credit card thefts during real-estate open houses. (Troy Police Department photos)