INTERLOCHEN — Anonymous tips, social media and a traffic stop resulted in several arrests and a quick recovery of $35,000 in suspected stolen goods — including two motorcycles, according to Michigan State Police.
The two suspects, a 40-year-old man and a 38-year-old man, were interviewed Thursday three hours after a motorcycle was taken from a Blair Township residence after social media reports and a “string of anonymous tips,” that the motorcycle wasn’t there, according to police.
On Friday, however, the 38-year-old was a passenger in a traffic stop on US-31 near the Benzie County line. He was taken into custody on an unrelated warrant and allegedly was in possession of methamphetamine. The driver, a 24-year-old female, was also arrested on suspected meth possession and driving without a license.
Troopers learned where the motorcycle had been hidden, and executed three search warrants in Acme and Green Lake Township. Troopers then found — at a storage unit in Acme — the stolen motorcycle, a second motorcycle reported stolen from Benzie County, and $35,000 worth of stolen tools, a utility trailer, a go cart, and methamphetamine.
According to the police report, both male suspects were arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle, and conducting a criminal enterprise.
Additional charges are expected to follow, and other stolen items were found at another residence that were “tied to the group,” police said.