Crime & Safety

Break-In Suspect Pleads Guilty

Kory Smith pleaded guilty to break-ins in St. Clair Shores and forgoes a trial.

A 40-year-old Detroit man charged in a string of robberies in St. Clair Shores pleaded guilty Monday in Macomb Circuit Court.

Kory Kordell Smith pleaded guilty to three counts of breaking and entering with the intent to rob, and one count of possession of burglary tools, for breaking into  Liquor and Wine Shop, and in January and stealing money.

Smith pleaded guilty to the charges before Judge David Viviano, and said little as he admitted to the crimes.

Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoreswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When asked by Viviano on how he gained entry into the businesses, he said by "breaking a window."

Viviano accepted his plea, and set his sentencing for April 19. He could serve up to 15 years in prison.

Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoreswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As he was being led back to the Macomb County Jail, he told the judge, "I have a drug problem."

Prior to his arrest, Smith had been a person of interest for a number of departments. St. Clair Shores police had been looking for Smith since Feb. 15, when they released a photo and description to the media. He turned himself in Feb. 20 to Detroit police and confessed to the crimes, police said.

He is being held on $60,000 bond.

He may also face charges stemming from a parole violation for a home invasion charge in 2000 in Wayne County. The Department of Corrections attempted to arrest Smith on Feb. 14, but he escaped. An officer was injured during the arrest attempt.

Smith is also charged with in Grosse Pointe Woods and the City of Grosse Pointe.

Smith is also accused of breaking into four Grosse Pointe businesses— in the Woods, and ,  and a doctor's office near Valente's, all in the City.

Smith waived his preliminary exam in those cases and will be arraigned on those charges at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit.


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