Freedom Township couple lied about items stolen during burglary, state troopers say
A Freedom Township couple whose house was burglarized in April is accused of providing state troopers an exaggerated list of what was stolen to make an inflated insurance claim - then later admitting it because they felt bad for lying, police said.
Douglas Allen Beaumont, 51, and Wendy Kay Beaumont, 44, are each charged with filing a false report of a felony and insurance fraud, Washtenaw County court records show.
The Beaumonts were arraigned Tuesday and were released on personal recognizance bonds. They could not be reached for comment by phone Thursday afternoon.
On April 5, Michigan State police responded to a 4:30 p.m. report of a burglary at the couple's Waters Road home, Lt. Wynonia Sturdivant said. Troopers discovered someone attempted to break in through the front door, ultimately getting inside through a side door, Sturdivant said. The break-in occurred between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., police said. So far, no arrests have been made.
The Beaumonts provided a list to troopers of what was stolen to move forward with an insurance claim, Sturdivant said. According to Sturdivant, the couple put a number of items on the list that were not stolen, but she did not have specifics.
Within about 10 days of the burglary, the couple contacted state troopers, admitted they exaggerated their claim and said they weren't happy with themselves for lying, Sturdivant said.
If convicted, the couple faces up to eight years in prison. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 5.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
AAMAF
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 5:09 p.m.
Thank youjustathought. I couldn't have said it better myself.
justathought
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 3:27 p.m.
Anyone that knows the Beaumont family knows what great, hard-working, giving people they are. They donate HOURS of their time to the community: The Chelsea Fair, the 4H Fair, Chelsea Athletic Department, their church, and the annual Relay for Life event...just to name a few. They've raised two beautiful, talented, outstanding children as well. We're all human and not one of us on this planet is perfect. Mistakes are made by all and it's unfortunate that their mistake is publicized so outrageously. It will take some time to heal, but the Beaumont's will be alright and will continue to have the overwhelming support of their friends and family throughout the process.
jcj
Sat, Jul 31, 2010 : 7:34 a.m.
@15crown00 I have certainly never said they should not suffer consequences for their actions. But if stories put forth here were just single issue black and white there would be no need for comments at all. Maybe we could just appoint 1 opinion Zar to tell us all what is important in each article. I suspect there would be plenty of takers on that appointment!
15crown00
Sat, Jul 31, 2010 : 2:46 a.m.
those people lied it's that simple.they should be punished liking the cops or not has nothing to do with it.
scooter dog
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
They won't have to worry about filing a false Insurance claim in the future because no Insurance company will Insure them. At any cost.
djm12652
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
wow...Hmmm says "the police are not your friends" whilst others explain away the couple's actions...I have an idea...how about NOT breaking the law and then have no worries....
Trepang674
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 10:52 a.m.
Just tell the cops that you had miss-placed the items and found them in the attic, under your conscience...game over.
jcj
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 10:49 a.m.
Hmm How would consulting with clergy "stop the lie"? The only way to "stop the lie" is to tell the person you lied to. Not that I would be against consulting with clergy. I would suspect clergy would advise them to tell the authorities or the insurance company that they had lied. And yes they could go pay an attorney to tell them to keep quiet or admit their guilt. In any case if they were not going to "stop the lie" they should have just kept their mouths shut. Lets suppose I tell my wife I have been faithful when I have not. Now I go tell clergy I have been unfaithful. Does that negate the lie? Even if I am never unfaithful again? It might clear my conscience but unless I tell my wife the truth she still believes the lie. In this case "common sense" might be the best solution! I have never been unfaithful by the way. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Hmm
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 10:24 a.m.
JCJ if a person value's their freedom and not having a criminal conviction on their record, then yes, there are better ways to handle it than telling on yourself to the police. I said they should have consulted with clergy rather than go the route they chose. Another option would be to consult with a legal attorney and see what he/she says to do first. Those are two options right there that would have stopped their lie and also not sent them straight to jail (do not pass go and do not collect $200 lol). Again just DON'T COMMIT CRIMES and you don't have to even have that dilemma. Matt Cooper you can put it however you want to, but if someone has committed a crime the EMS is not coming their house to pick them up, and the fire fighters aren't going to do it either. You can go tell either one of them you broke the law and they won't do a thing, there is only ONE branch of government that handles criminals and community oriented or not, if a crime is committed the police are going to make it their business to arrest the perpetrators. What have I said that "misleads" that FACT? And if arresting people is not one of the primary jobs of police then what is? Why do they have cells with bars in their building? And don't say going out into the community to talk to people is all they do all day long, the police are not social workers. You all are reading into this that I don't like police and not only is that not true that is not the point I'm trying to make. The point is, if you are knowingly committing crimes, unless you like losing your freedom and being a part of the criminal justice system and all that that entails (courts, lawyers, fees, JAIL), you do not go confessing on yourself to the police But what do I know, I've never been in jail before so maybe it's all lollipops and gumdrops in there and I'm really missing out on something. Matt have you ever been incarcerated? Did you find it to be a pleasant experience if you were?
Matt Cooper1
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 9:23 a.m.
@hmm: " Aside from helping people in emergencies the primary job for police is to arrest people who commit crimes" This statement shows how little you actually know about police work and what their job really is. Surely making arrests is one job among many for the police, however, it is misleading to say this is their primary function. There is a major movement (and shift in philosophy) among police forces across the country that started in Lansing roughly twenty years ago. The "Community oriented policing" philosophy that most departments are now subscribing to is far more focused on preventive policing than the old "crime fighter" model of policing. It puts police on the street rather than allowing them to sit in their cars all day long. It makes them deal more closely with community leaders to find out what's going on in their communities and to discover new ways to stop crime before it ever happens. And while making arrests is certainly one aspect of the line officers job, to say that this is their primary function is misleading.
jcj
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 9:16 a.m.
Hmm So the better way to resolve things in this situation was to do anything but "the right thing to do from a moral standpoint" We do not know what they thought might happen. Maybe they were prepared for the consequences maybe not. That's what I always tell my grandkids. Do whatever gets you off the easiest! I certainly agree it is best not to commit crimes in the first place. And while this couple made a mistake at least they had a conscience. But then again it might not have been there conscience so much as they might have been worried about getting caught. I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. If "common sense" dictates that we continue to lie after making the mistake then there are more people running around with common sense than I thought!
Chris
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 9:07 a.m.
Remember the officers of the law have to write up the report as stated to them, it is then up to the prosicuter to decide whether to drop charges or continue. Most likely this will be dropped to a mist. with a probation act following a year long term. I have to say it would be really sad to see our tax dollars prosicuting a couple that confessed with out direct pressure. There are people out there every day that are scamming the system, and the ones who were human and let greed get alittle in front of them are now going to face more jail time then the crack heads that robbed them. A guy over a year ago was caught and charged with his third B&E and is only doing 18 months. Come on people, WAKE UP!!!!!!
Hmm
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 8:38 a.m.
The best thing is not to commit crimes in the first place and you won't have this problem...simple and easy
Hmm
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.
JCJ, lying on a police report and then going and confessing that you lied does not constitute an emergency. I never said the police weren't there to help people in emergencies, I said they are not your friend and in this situation there were better ways for this couple to resolve their guilty consciences. What they did was surely the right thing to do from a moral standpoint, but from a common sense standpoint it was really not the brightest thing to go confessing their crimes to the police. Aside from helping people in emergencies the primary job for police is to arrest people who commit crimes, so I don't know what these people thought was going to happen to them by doing this. Did they think the police are just going to let them go and say "don't do it again"? Again the police are NOT your friend, use common sense when dealing with them, especially if you are COMMITTING CRIMES.
jcj
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 7:42 a.m.
@Hmm They may not be there to be your friend, But when there is an emergency that's who You will call!
stunhsif
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 7:13 a.m.
Is there more to why the confessed their lying? But as it stands, the moral of the story is tell the truth and you'll be handed the rope to hang yourself!
Hmm
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 7:11 a.m.
The police are NOT your friend. You got a guilty conscience you better go talk to a preist or you WILL be going to jail. Sucks to be them
jcj
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 7:01 a.m.
They made a mistake no doubt. But they are the rare exception when it comes to admitting they were wrong BEFORE getting found out. They might get more jail time than the next person to go on trial for murder. Go figure.
LANDS
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 5:57 a.m.
So, confession is good for the soul but not our already over crowded prisons...