Lawyer Carried Gun, Duct Tape While Attempting Break-In At Woman’s Home: Police
A Michigan personal injury attorney was arrested Saturday and accused of breaking into the home of a former co-worker whom he had a romantic interest in, the Royal Oak Police Department announced Tuesday.
Levi Trahem Smith, 34, was charged with home invasion and a felony firearm offense. Police said a woman called 911 at about 1:20 that morning to report a break-in.
The woman told police she activated a panic alarm after she was woken up by a man attempting to enter the side door of her home, the announcement said. The man walked away from the home, but he was confronted by police following the call.
“The quick thinking of the victim to contact police once she realized this dangerous situation was unfolding prevented a much worse outcome,” police Chief Michael Moore said in the department’s statement.
Police say that responding officers observed the man wearing latex gloves and carrying a backpack containing several “concerning items,” including a loaded handgun, a large knife, handcuffs, rope, masks, a hammer, a crowbar and duct tape.
Police said Smith “targeted” the woman, with whom he had worked in the past, and that he’d allegedly “exhibited a romantic interest in her” previously.
According to court records reviewed by HuffPost, Smith pleaded not guilty on Tuesday. An attorney was not listed in his records.
In a statement shared with local ABC affiliate WXYZ, Smith’s former law firm, Anthony, Paulovich & Worrall, said they were made aware of the incident and that Smith is no longer working there.
“We sincerely hope the victim in this situation receives the support they need and begin the process of healing,” the firm said in its statement.
Chris Lyon, one of the woman’s neighbors, told the outlet that people in the community generally don’t lock their doors because the neighborhood is considered so safe. He believes residents will have to be more cautious going forward.
“An attorney’s supposed to be a respected member of the community, right? Not creepy,” Lyon told WXYZ.
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-866-331-9474 or text “loveis” to 22522 for the National Dating Abuse Helpline.
