Man Arrested in Rochester Hills, Troy Attacks

Troy Police have made an arrest in a series of incidents including an October assault at Bloomer Park and two instances of unlawfully entering homes, with one resulting in an assault, according to Troy Police officials.

Troy Police arrested Al Hakam Salmou, 17, of Troy on Friday in connection with an Oct. 23 incident where police say Salmou unlawfully tried to enter a woman's apartment on Lovington Drive in Troy. According to police, the woman was able to keep the man at bay while pushing him out of the apartment and locking her apartment door. No injuries were reported in the incident, according to police.

According to police, a friend of the woman had seen media reports of similar incidents in the area and told the woman the person who tried entering her apartment might be the same person wanted in the other cases. On Nov. 7, the woman was able to identify Salmou as the person who attempted to force his way into her apartment, according to police. 

Police obtained a warrant for first-degree home invasion and assault and battery on Nov. 8 and Salmou was arrested by Troy Police the same day. He was arraigned that day at 52-4 District Court in Troy before Magistrate Clement Waldmann on the home invasion and assault charges, where he pled not guilty. Bond was set at $10,000 and a GPS tethered was ordered by the court. He will be due back in court at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday before Judge William E. Bolle. 

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office Rochester Hills Substation was able to obtain a warrant against Salmou for an Oct. 25 incident at Bloomer Park where a woman who was exercising on the steps of the park was assaulted after a man believed to be Salmou asked her for directions. Salmou was arraigned on Nov. 9 before Magistrate Judith A. Holtz at 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills on a charge of criminal sexual conduct, assault with intent - sexual penetration. According to police, Salmou stood mute as he was placed on a $1.1 million bond with no 10 percent. Salmou's passport also was ordered to be turned in to the court.

Through its investigation, Troy Police have obtained information of Salmou possibly committing similar crimes. On Oct. 12, a man knocked on the door of a home in Troy and asked a girl if her parents were home. According to police, he then walked off and returned minutes later, at which time he unlawfully entered the home. When confronted by the homeowner, he asked to use the restroom, stayed for a few seconds, walked back outside and walked off.

On Oct. 25, a Troy woman had a man knock on her door asking for directions to Bloomer Park in Rochester Hills. After the woman gave the man directions, he asked to use the woman's restroom, but she declined. He then walked off, leaving his vehicle, a bright red, sporty coupe with a large amount of chrome details and dark tinted windows. This occurred about 90 minutes before the reported attack at Bloomer Park, according to police.

That same morning, police said, another woman at Bloomer Park also was approached by a suspicious man asking for directions. According to police, the man reportedly chased the woman down as she was jogging on a trail and asked where she had parked. The woman became concerned and fled from the man.

Because there have been multiple reports of incidents apparently involving Salmou, Troy Police investigators are asking for any information from possible victims of assaults, home invasions or other criminal activity perpetrated by Salmou. Those who have information are asked to call Troy Police investigators at (248) 524-3453.