MACOMB COUNTY

Man charged with stealing from Mount Clemens meters

The Detroit News

A Jackson man has been arraigned on charges he stole money from parking meters in Mount Clemens.

Douglas Charles Hastings was arrested early Saturday morning with $15.25 worth of coins in his pockets and $858 in currency in his wallet, according to Lt. John Michalke of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department.

Michalke said he also had homemade tools which he used to open the meters and black plastic containers to collect the change.

Hastings, 67, was arraigned by video on Monday in 41B District Court of Clinton Township on charges of possession of burglar’s tools, a 10-year felony, and breaking and entering a coin box, a misdemeanor. He was given a $10,000 cash bond and is being held in the Macomb County Jail.

Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said detectives from Oakland County had been tracking Hastings after receiving reports of thefts and larcenies. They followed him to downtown Mount Clemens, where they watched him for two hours opening meters, removing the coins and then closing the meters.

Macomb deputies were called and they arrested Hastings at about 5 a.m. Saturday. They also seized his 1997 Chevrolet Silverado pickup.

Hastings is due back in court Feb. 24.