A 26-year-old Birmingham, Michigan, resident was arrested after allegedly breaking into a home on the 500 block of Woodland Avenue while intoxicated and under the influence of drugs, with the homeowner chasing him out into neighboring backyards before police caught up with him.
The incident happened the night of Friday, October 2, according to Downtown Publications, which first reported the arrest. The homeowner told police the man had entered his house uninvited, and when confronted, the intruder fled through the yard and into the properties of neighboring homes with the homeowner in pursuit. Birmingham police officers eventually tracked the man down and took him into custody.
Despite the dramatic chase, officers did not cite the man with felony home invasion. Instead, he was cited for disorderly conduct and entry without permission — both misdemeanors under Michigan law. That distinction matters: Michigan's home-invasion statute, MCL 750.110a, sets out three degrees of the offense. First-degree home invasion is a Class B offense carrying up to 20 years in prison; second- and third-degree home invasion have different classifications and penalties and do not require another person to be present. Another person's presence is one circumstance that can make a qualifying offense first-degree, according to Shelton Legal Services.
Why the Charges Stayed Misdemeanors
Entry without owner's permission, charged under MCL 750.115, covers both breaking and entering and entering without breaking; it is a misdemeanor carrying up to 90 days in jail and two years of probation, per the Michigan Legislature. The disorderly conduct citation stems from MCL 750.167, which covers public intoxication when it endangers property or causes a disturbance — a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines as high as $500, according to Dallo Law.
Michigan law distinguishes breaking and entering a non-dwelling, a 10-year felony under MCL 750.110, from entry without owner's permission under MCL 750.115, which covers entering with or without breaking, Dallo Law explains.
A Rare Disruption in One of Oakland County's Safest Suburbs
The city's 2024 annual crime report, reviewed by C & G Newspapers, showed an overall drop in local crime rates, reinforcing Birmingham's reputation as one of Oakland County's safest communities.
That reputation tracks with the city's high cost of living. Birmingham's 48009 ZIP code ranked as Michigan's highest-rent area in July 2026 Zillow data analyzed by Hoodline, with typical monthly asking rents reaching $2,806. Historical city records show Birmingham hit a 50-year low for burglaries in 2016, when only 24 were reported citywide over the full year.
No further details were available on the man's identity or any court dates tied to the citations.
