A delivery route across Metro Detroit doubled as a crime map, according to prosecutors, and yesterday, the man behind the wheel said they were right. Deonte King, a 32-year-old delivery driver from Redford Township, pleaded guilty in St. Clair County court to a string of home invasions that investigators say took place while he was out making stops. King admitted to eight counts of second-degree home invasion and now faces sentencing on Aug. 31 at 9:30 a.m. Authorities say the break-ins happened over several days from late last November into early December.
ClickOnDetroit reports that King formally entered his plea during yesterday's hearing, acknowledging the eight second-degree home invasion charges in open court. That outlet notes he was first charged back in December after deputies linked multiple scenes that they believed shared the same suspect and vehicle.
Arrest followed reports of fresh break-ins
King’s run ended on Dec. 6, when St. Clair County deputies responded to calls about a sixth and seventh suspected break-in and started watching for a matching vehicle. A white box truck was pulled over near Werner Road in Columbus Township, and King was taken into custody at the scene, according to WXYZ.
Three days later, on Dec. 9, he was arraigned on one count of first-degree home invasion and five counts of second-degree home invasion, and a judge set his bond at $200,000, officials said.
Recovered items traced back to victims
After the arrest, investigators began sorting through the haul. Most of the recovered stolen items were ultimately traced back to their rightful owners and returned, according to Patch.
The sheriff credited road patrol deputies with putting together what authorities called “a thorough description of the suspect and vehicle,” a phrase highlighted in a department statement quoted by CBS News Detroit. Court records also show King had previously been accused in a 2017 series of break-ins, according to ClickOnDetroit.
Legal next steps
Second-degree home invasion is a felony that can carry up to 15 years in prison under Michigan law, as the Michigan Supreme Court has noted when interpreting MCL 750.110a. At King’s Aug. 31 sentencing hearing, a judge will weigh his guilty plea alongside any recommended sentence.
In the meantime, St. Clair County officials are using the case as a reminder that basic precautions still matter: keep doors and windows locked, stay alert, and report suspicious activity right away. Anyone with information tied to the earlier break-ins was asked to contact deputies, WXYZ reported.
