05/21/2026
Press Release
On May 12, 2026, at approximately 9:40 p.m., Shelby Township officers were dispatched to the 4000 block of Auburn Road for a suspicious circumstance. The caller reported seeing two subjects behind an abandoned business, possibly attempting to break in.
Upon arrival, an officer observed two individuals running from the rear of the building. The officer issued verbal commands for them to stop, but both subjects fled on foot. The officer pursued them through several residential backyards but ultimately lost sight of the suspects. A description of one of the individuals was broadcast to other responding officers.
A Shelby Township officer trained as a drone pilot launched a drone to assist in the search. Using thermal imaging, the drone detected a heat signature consistent with one of the fleeing suspects as he moved between houses and jumped a fence. The drone pilot relayed the suspect’s location to officers on the ground, who then closed the perimeter, located the individual, and took him into custody. The suspect is a juvenile, and his identity is being withheld.
A separate officer responding to the area observed a female walking nearby. The officer noted that she was sweating and had grass stains on her clothing, consistent with someone who had recently been running through yards. The female, identified as Alexis Lulej, was later confirmed to be one of the suspects who ran from the police.
Both suspects were taken into custody. The juvenile was turned over to a parent, and charges will be submitted to the Juvenile Justice Center.
The female was processed and lodged at Macomb County Jail.
On May 13th, Lulej was arraigned at the 41-A District Court in front of Magistrate Alayan for the following charges:
-Assaulting/Resisting/Obstructing an Officer
-B&E – Illegal Entry.
Lulej was released on a $5,000 personal bond.
“This incident clearly demonstrates the value of the advanced tools our officers have at their disposal. The drone’s thermal imaging capabilities were essential in locating the suspects quickly and safely, giving our officers real time information they couldn’t have obtained from the ground. Because of that technology—and the professionalism of our officers—we were able to take both individuals into custody without further risk to the community. Shelby Township Police will continue to invest in tools and training that enhance our ability to keep residents safe.” Chief of Police Robert J. Shelide.
