Couple Arrested for Suspected Involvement in Car Break-Ins in Rochester Hills

Detectives from the say helped lead them to arrest two individuals they say are responsible for a series of car break-ins in restaurant and church parking lots throughout Rochester Hills.

Robert Oxendine, 49, and Ashley Brooks were arraigned Thursday in 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills. Oxendine was charged with five counts of breaking into a vehicle, each punishable by five years in prison. Brooks was charged with three counts of stealing or retaining a financial transaction device, each punishable by four years in prison. Both are being held in the Oakland County Jail on $25,000 bonds.

According to a news release from Det. Ray White of the Rochester Hills substation, detectives received a tip that led them to Oxendine and Brooks at a residence on Squirrel Road in Auburn Hills. While searching the couple's home, they recovered property that had been taken from cars in Rochester Hills, White stated.

"Detectives believe that Oxendine broke into the cars and stole the items," White stated. "Afteward, the couple used the credit cards at several locations to purchase personal items."

with a callout to the public to help them identify a man captured on a store surveillance camera using the stolen credit cards. A reader called police to say she recognized the man and the tip led them to Oxendine, said Lt. Don Nankervis of the White Lake Police Department.

Several jurisdictions in Macomb County are also investigating car break-ins, mostly at churches and funeral homes, some of which occurred while services were being held, White said. Some of the stolen property recovered at the Oxendine and Brooks residence was from these break-ins, he stated.

White reminded residents to lock their cars and to not leave valuables in plain sight.