Crime & Safety

Man Arrested for Retail Fraud Swallows Razor Blade at White Lake Police Station

The following information was supplied by White Lake Township Police. Arrests and charges do not indicate convictions.

A 44-year-old White Lake man remains in Oakland County Jail following an attempt to harm himself at the White Lake Police Station. Police officials said the man swallowed a razor blade while being held at the station for a retail fraud complaint.

According to the report, the man was arrested at Kohl's on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. after loss prevention officers saw him attempting a fraudulent refund of more than $500 in items at the store.

The man was taken to the White Lake Police Station to be processed, and was placed in a holding cell because another call came in.

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When the officers returned, they saw the man had fresh blood on his shirt. When asked why there was blood, the report states the man told police he swallowed a razor blade.

Lt. Don Nankervis said the man had been searched before being placed in the cell, and it's not known how he concealed the razor.

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The man was transported to McClaren's Hospital where the razor was surgically removed from his throat. He also had cuts from the razor along his arms that were bandaged.

The man was arraigned on Nov. 23 on a felony charge of retail fraud. Nankervis said the man had a prior conviction for retail fraud that elevated the charge.

The man is being held at Oakland County Jail on a $30,000 cash bond.


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