Burglar sentenced to probation in Pittsfield Township, Saline cases
A man convicted of using credit cards he stole in a string of auto burglaries in Pittsfield Township and Saline last fall was placed on probation, officials said.
David Lipsitz, 30, was sentenced to 18 months of probation on assault and burglary charges for crimes that occurred in September and October, said Steve Hiller, chief deputy assistant county prosecutor.
The Ypsilanti man pleaded no contest to the charges in March. One count of assault with a dangerous weapon was dismissed.
Lipsitz was scheduled to stand trial this month on a charge of pulling a knife on a Pittsfield Township man who caught him trying to break into a vehicle parked in the man’s garage last October. The victim pulled a handgun and Lipsitz ran off, police said.
He was arrested a few weeks later after police tracked purchases made at local stores.
Authorities also charged Lipsitz’s girlfriend, Samantha West, with fraud after she used some of the stolen credit cards for purchases at several stores.
She also entered a guilty plea and was sentenced in January to two years of probation and mandatory substance-abuse treatment, court records show. West, 21, pleaded guilty to fraud charges late last year.
Police say they met while in a drug rehabilitation program a few months before the crime spree started. They specifically targeted unlocked vehicles in subdivisions and other places that were not as well-lit as parking lots, Saline Detective Don Lupi said.
Both are also expected to face charges in other counties and could be connected to as many as 50 vehicle break-ins, police said.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Ricebrnr
Thu, May 13, 2010 : 1:54 p.m.
"Of course if drugs were legalized there would no longer be crimes, because junkies and crackheads wouldn't think of robbing anyone to get a fix..." Umm...yah...Alchohol was against the law for a time and then (re)legalized and there are no alchohol addiction related crimes...not even robbery... *cough* Rip Torn *cough* :P
djm12652
Thu, May 13, 2010 : 1:41 p.m.
@Trouble, you're so right! And as we all know, with practice comes perfection...so instead of brandishing a knife next time, a gun may be used...and still no jail time because he's ill with an addiction. Of course if drugs were legalized there would no longer be crimes, because junkies and crackheads wouldn't think of robbing anyone to get a fix...and before anyone goes ballistic [no pun intended] if the State of Michigan wanted to, they could find the money for prisons. There is so much waste in our state and federal government, makes me ill!
Trouble
Thu, May 13, 2010 : 10:17 a.m.
Now He Have Time to Do More Crime
Macabre Sunset
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 5:10 p.m.
Couldn't the case be made that it's cheaper to warehouse career criminals than accept the hundreds, if not thousands, of crimes each commits in a career? Not to mention all the new criminal careers started because of cases like this one. I'm certain Lipsitz is an inspiration to kids considering this lifestyle.
Lokalisierung
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
"We can't afford to take every case to trial, so are system has become "Lets make a deal".Compared to crimes that will go to trial these are petty." This is the way the system works, and I agree people do not understand it. You have the right to a speedy trial and if every case went to court people would be sitting in jail for a long time waiting for thier day in court
ffej440
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 1:10 p.m.
Ricebrnr- Because that is the count that would have required jail/prison time. I'm sure the defendant would accept no deal that required time served. He brandished a knife, but never used it- I bet his defense would be that he never intended to use it, thus causing a court trial that we(Washtenaw County) can not afford. I don't like what is done anymore than you, but without the funding we are bound to do what we must. As I said before, be glad we are not in Wayne county.The deals given to Officer Huffs alleged killer were much greater.Prehaps we should start looking at ways of freeing up the courts/jails,like making Mary Jane legal?
Ricebrnr
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 11:42 a.m.
If the prosecutor didn't want this why was the clearly most dangerous charge "One count of assault with a dangerous weapon" dismissed. Sure ok let a petty property crime thief back out on the street, but someone willing to brandish and use a knife? Certain law abiding citizens could lose some of their rights for life for this even in a self defense situation.
ffej440
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 10:27 a.m.
I'm sure this is not what the prosecutor wanted either. People must understand our courts and jails are full and broke. We can't afford to take every case to trial, so are system has become "Lets make a deal".Compared to crimes that will go to trial these are petty. The public defender budget in Washtenaw is 50% of the prosecutors. If deals were not made we could never afford to provide defense to the 80% of felony cases that are handled by public defense. Public defense is mandated by the US constitution.. we must pay this expense. If you think it's bad here look at the deals cut in Wayne County. If you don't like it -quit crying and tell us what you want to cut to fund a REAL justice system.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 10:26 a.m.
No jail time? Would you please print the judge's name who agreed to this travesty? This is something we need to know if we ever have the chance to vote.
TooT
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 9:47 a.m.
I wondered what the sentence would have been had it been the judge's house that he broke into...hmmmmm
Ricebrnr
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 9:25 a.m.
Further proof that: - criminals don't fear laws and clearly why should they? - criminals fear armed and aware citizens. - you can't count on someone else for you own safety. Be safe out there.
SalineDoe
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 8:18 a.m.
Pulling a knife only gets you probation these days??? Heck, its a wonder that embezzlement and other "nonviolent" crimes don't increase since there doesn't appear to be much of a downside for criminals anymore. All the while, communities are forced to cut public safety officers.
Rasputin
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 8:03 a.m.
Hmm, 18 months of probation for assault and burglary charges for crimes that occurred in September and October? Makes me wonder why I even work, pay taxes, and mind the State's laws...
RoboLogic
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 7:44 a.m.
That homeowner was very generous for not having shot the hooligan. In Toledo recently, four criminals have been shot in as many months by store clerks/owners and homeowners.. with some being fatal. In every instance, the shooting was ruled justified. The people are sick and tired of this crap. Lock it up, and protect yourself and your family.
RuralMom
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 7:37 a.m.
Nice! PROBATION for ASSAULT and BURGLARY! That's some justice there!