Woman charged in Sterling Heights utility pole fire suspected of fires in Auburn Hills, Ypsilanti, tell me about this news today

A 38-year-old woman from Pittsfield Township, Michigan, was taken into custody after allegedly pouring gasoline on DTE Energy utility poles and setting them ablaze.

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• The Sterling Heights Incident: Firefighters and police responded to a utility pole fire along Hall Road (near Van Dyke). Authorities reported that as first responders arrived, the suspect attempted to flee in her vehicle, nearly striking emergency personnel before speeding away. Investigators tracked and located her with the assistance of Flock license plate reader technology and surveillance footage.

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• Connection to Other Fires: Sterling Heights police noted that this was not an isolated event. Evidence links her to a multi-week string of intentional fires across Southeast Michigan. Investigators suspect her involvement in similar utility pole burnings in Auburn Hills as well as an arson fire in Ypsilanti that destroyed an auto parts business.

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• Impact & Investigation: DTE Energy reported that at least eight utility poles were doused with gasoline and torched across the region, knocking out power to thousands of residents and businesses. Multiple law enforcement bodies, including the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) and local detective bureaus, are collaborating as formal charges and arraignment proceedings move forward.

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