Updated: Sheriff Jerry Clayton to meet citizens Thursday after string of home invasions in western Washtenaw County

By Lee Higgins Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Tue, Sep 29, 2009 : 1:15 p.m.

Michigan State Police are investigating at least four home invasions last Wednesday and Thursday in Lyndon and Lima townships in western Washtenaw County, Sgt. Tony Cuevas said.

Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies are investigating two home invasions last week that are believed to be related to those four, said Derrick Jackson, the sheriff's department's director of community engagement. One occurred in Scio Township and the other in Dexter Township, Jackson said.

At least two men are kicking in doors or entering through unlocked windows and stealing jewelry and electronic items when people are not home, police said. In one case, several guns were stolen.

Three incidents occurred in Lyndon Township in the area of North Territorial and Joslin Lake roads, police said. The other occurred in Lima Township in the area of Jerusalem and Fletcher Lake roads.

In one case, one of the men believed to be involved struck a rock wall in a driveway.

A neighbor, who was not aware of the break-ins, helped him out of the driveway, police said. No pieces of the vehicle he was driving were recovered at the scene, police said.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department is holding a meeting Thursday in Chelsea to teach people how to protect their property after the incidents.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the old Chelsea High School board room at 500 Washington Street.

Officials from the department, including Sheriff Jerry Clayton, will be there.

State Police released a composite sketch today of one of the suspected burglars. He is white, 20-25 years old, and has brown hair.

Police are working on a sketch of a second suspected burglar, who is white, 40-45 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 160 pounds, with brown hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 734-482-1211.