Crime & Safety

Dearborn Residents Evaluate Safety Following Family Dollar Double Homicide

A suspect in the deaths of Joseph Orlando and Brenna Machus has not been identified by law enforcement agencies.

DEARBORN — Heather Whitehead, a regular customer at Rite Aid on Michigan Avenue walked a little faster to her car on Thursday afternoon carefully scanning the parking lot for anything out of the ordinary.

Whitehead, a Dearborn Heights resident, said Monday's crime at the Family Dollar store that left two employees dead, hit too close to home.

"I never thought I would be in harms way," she said. "I've been coming here for a year. I was really sad and surprised to hear the news. My first thought was, 'Why did this happen here?'"

On Tuesday morning, Dearborn police officers were dispatched to 22631 Michigan Ave. after employees at the Family Dollar store reported the store in disarray. Officers discovered the body of Joseph Orlando, 20, a resident of Dearborn who had apparently been shot sometime during the previous night. The body of fellow employee Brenna Kathleen Machus, who has been missing since Monday night, was discovered Thursday in a wooded area near the Southfield Freeway.

Manuel Mendez, an employee at LaPita restaurant, said he is a frequent customer at Family Dollar, but said he did not know Machus or Orlando.

"I think there should be more security in this area," he said. "I work late at night, and I'm one of the last people to leave the restaurant. It's very dark outside when we're closing up."

Kevin LeAnnis, co-owner of Dearborn Music, said the double murders have shaken up employees in other businesses in the area.

"You never want to see something like that happen to anyone," he said. "Hopefully they find the person involved real soon."

LeAnnis said he has talked to employees about the safety of leaving the store together, locking the door at closing time, and being aware of their surroundings.

"I don't think we need any additional security outside," he said. "From what we know, it was a random act of violence, and security cameras weren't going to stop someone from committing the crime."

Mike Frye, an employee at Biggby Coffee, said he doesn't feel any less safe since the homicides.

"Crime happens everywhere," he said. "This isn't unique to Dearborn. It really doesn't change my sense of security."

Police Seek Information from Southfield Freeway Drivers

The Dearborn Police Department is asking the public's help with its ongoing investigation into the murders of Joseph Orlando and Brenna Machus.

Anyone who was driving on the northbound Southfield Freeway (M-39) service drive July 15 from 8 p.m. to July 18 at 7 a.m. who may have seen something suspicious is encouraged to call police.

If anyone had to slow down for a vehicle that may have pulled off of the northbound Southfield Freeway (M-39) service drive south of the eastbound Michigan Avenue ramp, contact the Dearborn Police immediately.

Tips or information can be called in at 313-943-2241. Callers may also provide information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK UP or the police tip line at 313-943-3012. Crime Stoppers of Michigan is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest of a suspect.


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