Police said he “had expressed romantic interest in her in the past.”
A Michigan man who had a “romantic interest” in his former co-worker was arrested after allegedly trying to break into her home with an “assortment of disturbing items,” according to police.
Levi Trahern Smith, a 34-year-old lawyer, was allegedly seen Saturday “hiding” outside the woman’s home in the middle of the night and tried to enter through a side door, the Oakland County District Attorney’s Office said .
Smith was found wearing latex gloves and carrying a backpack containing a loaded handgun, a large knife, handcuffs, rope, masks, a hammer, a crowbar, duct tape and latex gloves, according to the Royal Oak Police Department.
Smith had previously been the woman’s co-worker “and had expressed romantic interest in her in the past,” police said.
He was arrested after the woman was “roused from her sleep” and contacted police, who said they saw Smith trying to walk away from the house before officers arrested him.
“The speed with which the victim contacted police once she realized this dangerous situation was unfolding prevented a much worse outcome,” Royal Oak Police Chief Michael Moore said. “As a result, officers immediately located the suspect and took him into custody.”
Smith was charged with one count of home invasion and one count of firearms violation.
His bond was set at $25,000.
He could not immediately be reached for comment at the telephone number listed for his office.
“I am relieved that the victim was vigilant and immediately contacted law enforcement,” said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. “Without the victim’s call to 911 and the work of the Royal Oak Police, this situation could have been much worse.”