Deandre Bey was arraigned on Thursday afternoon

DEARBORN — A 20-year-old man suspected of an attempted breaking and entering into The Arab American News office in the early hours of March 11 was charged with four larceny-related felonies. 

Deandre Bey was arraigned in front of Judge Mark Somers, who set the suspect’s bond at $25,000 with 10 percent deposit. Bey could be free until his trial if he manages to pay $2,500.

Bey is already on probation for a larceny charge in Livonia. 

Security footage showed two men banging a hammer on the back door of the Arab American News building around 2:30 a.m. on March 11, while most of the paper’s staff was inside. Bey matches the physical appearance of one of the suspects captured on camera.

The suspects peeked through a window, where several staff was visible, yet still proceeded with their attempt. They left after they failed to shatter the glass enough to be able to open the door.

In the courtroom, Bey looked disoriented and struggled to answer basic questions about himself. He told the judge his main source of income is from social security disability payments, but could not elaborate on the nature of his disability. 

The prosecutor had asked Somers to set the bond at $75,000, without a 10 percent deposit. She argued that although no one was injured in the incident, Bey posed a danger to the staff. 

The judge said it appears that the break-in was an intended property crime. He added that this type of wrongdoing is a “big deal”, as evidenced by the potential sentencing for the charges, some of which carry up to 10 years in prison.

Somers said the crime did not include a physical threat or face-to-face confrontation, in which case the bond would have been much higher. 

“The perception of somebody who is hearing this might be completely different and it sounds like you may have scared the hell out of some people… but you’re not charged with assault.”

Somers ordered Bey to wear a GPS tether to track his location and banned him from consuming illegal drugs or alcohol. 

“I feel like I don’t do this type of stuff,” Bey said at the end of the hearing, but the judge warned him that everything he says may be used against him in court. 

Bey’s alleged accomplice is still on the loose.

In a press release issued March 11, Police Chief Ron Haddad said detectives were hard at work trying to catch the suspects.

“What is particularly disturbing about this crime is that brazen suspects made violent efforts to gain entry into the building, which was clearly occupied by newspaper staff,” Haddad said. “We have a dedicated team of detectives and forensic specialists that are diligently following up on every investigative lead. We will use all available resources to apprehend the suspects responsible for this crime as quickly as possible.”

If you have any information about the suspect, please call the Dearborn Police Anonymous TIP Line at 313-943-3012.