< t it * i / ( ) V Jft'.- f \'U "ni^Jv ";f f p •V' .r * " November 11r 2007 75 cents WINNERS OF STATE AND NATIONAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE www.hometownlife.com charged with robbery of armored car BY OARRELL CLEM STAFF WRITER Westland police now believe that an Oct. 17 robbery of an armored car driver was orchestrated by a company worker who formerly drove the local route. The latest twist resulted in a third defendant, Loomis armored car employee John Brandon Pittman of Detroit, being arraigned Wednesday on charges of unarmed robbery and conspiracy to rob. Pittman, 24, is the cousin 19-year-old Detroiter Jerrel Pittman, one of two defendants already charged in the rob­ bery outside Sav-a-Lot at Ann Arbor Trail and Merriman, police Sgt. David Heater said. "It was always suspicious from the beginning that this might be an inside job," he said. Company officials became suspicious after learning that John Pittman showed up at the robbery scene even though he no longer worked on that courier route, Heater said. PHOTOS BY TOM HAWLEY | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Loomis officials confronted John Pittman and accused him Zebra Battalion Commander Cadet Maj. Andrew Pate, a senior, stands at attention as the Wayite Memorial High Scfioor JROTC present xiieir fourth annual Veterans Day ceremony. Please see CHARGES, A3 veterans ice seek information BY SUE MASON up to the highest standards of duty and honor," STAFF WRITER he said, reading from the proclamation. "They grisly murder ensured that America remained what our In a ceremony filled with precise moves and founders meant her to be: a light to the nations, BY PAM FLEMING pageantry, members of the Wayne Memorial spreading the good news of human freedom to GANNETT NEWS SERVICE High School JROTC Zebra Battalion gathered the darkest corners of the earth. On Veterans on the lawn of the school Friday morning to Day, we honor these extraordinary Americans Northville Township police still had no solid leads Friday honor the nation's veterans. for their service and sacrifice, and we pay trib­ afternoon in the murder of a 26-year-old River Rouge "The cadets did it right, being it's our fourth ute to the legacy of freedom and peace that they man whose badly burned and decapitated body was found year," said retired 1st Sgt. Steven LaHaine, the have given our great nation." Thursday in an undeveloped subdivision. battalion's senior Army instructor. "This is the Four cadets — 2nd Lt. Timothy Bliven, 1st The body of Daniel Gene-Vincent Sorensen, formerly of first year we've had fourth-year cadets." Lt. Rachael Barton, 2nd Lt. Shawn Polite and Westland, was found lyingby the side of the road in a cul- Cadet Capt. Jessica Hensley served as narrator Master Sgt. Jennifer Schulte — recounted the de-sac at 9:32 a.m. Thursday by township water and sewer for the program, which included the reading of a number of men and women who served and workers. proclamation issued by President George W. Bush. who died for their country since the American The workers were Cadet 1st Lt. Ryan Crayne told the audience Revolution. performing routine that, "In times of war and of peace, our men and A pair of boots, a rifle and beret served as fire hydrant checks Cadet Master Sgt. Jennifer Schulte, women in uniform stepped forward to defend reminders of those who have died, and each of when they found a senior, places a flag near the boots their fellow citizens and the country they love. the body and called to honor the fallen soldier. They shouldered great responsibility and lived Please see VETERANS, A2 authorities. Police are search­ ing for Sorensen's roommate's vehicle, a burgundy 2001 'Student Voices' brings teen view to newspaper Chevy S-10 pickup with the Michigan mu mm mmi Hm SERVICE The Westland Observer is proud to pres­ Student Voices stories can be found on pages A4 selves. They will be the journalists of the license plate number ' ent "Student Voices" in today's hometown- and CI. future. Congratulations to these outstanding of BBV-9503. The Police officers look for clues to the murder LIFE.com section. A group of high school students. vehicle is not regis- of Daniel Gene-Vincent Sorensen, whose students, mentored by O&E staff members, brainstormed ideas, did the interviews and This marks the second year for the pro­ tered to Sorensen, but burned and decapitated body was found in will report, write and photograph issues research and submitted the material for gram. Last year's crop of buddingjournalists is what he was last Northville Township Thursday, important to them throughout the 2007-08 editing and feedback to their mentors. did such a great job and their work was met seen driving. academic year. "Tyler Vosgerchian's article on the Quo with such enthusiasm by print and online The pickup is registered to the man's roommate in River If you wonder what teens are thinking Vadis theater, now empty on Wayne Road in readers, continuing the program was an Rouge, according to Lt. Greg Rhodes of the Northville about, don't miss this first installment of Westland, took me back a few years," Brown easy decision. A handful of students who Township Police Department. The license number also has Student Voices in print and online at www. added. "It's been great working with such a participated last year are back again this been listed in the nationwide law enforcement database as a hometownlife.com. Just click on the Student talented and motivated group, and getting year. wanted vehicle, he said. Voices logo and read stories for and by younger viewpoints into our newspapers." We hope you enjoy their work and look for Sorensen was a registered sex offender as the result of a teens from throughout western Wayne and "We have an awesome group of teen more to come from our panel of teen writers 1998 conviction in Illinois, according to police. Sorensen Oakland counties. journalists " added Mason. "Their stories and photographers in 2008. was 17 years old at the time, while the victim was age 15. It The students, with help from their men­ are timely, relevant and well-written. Their We welcome your comments. appears the sex conviction was more of a statutory indiscre­ tors, Presentation Editor Julie Brown and commitment and enthusiasm for this pro­ tion, according to police. Community Editor Sue Mason, prepared gram can't be missed. I hope our readers Susan Rosiek, Investigators are continuing to interview the murder vic­ today's stories and photos. take the time to read these wonderful sto­ executive editor, tim's family members and friends. Today's featured writers applied to be a ries." Observer S Eccentric Newspapers Police have learned that Sorensen didn't have steady student journalist at the start of the school As your hometown newspaper, we believe employment, but that he did have a girlfriend. year. They attended a two-hour orientation it's important to hear from younger readers Anyone who sees the vehicle in question can call the town­ session on writing and photography They and give them a forum to express them­ srosiekHhometownlife com ship police department at (248) 349-9400. w*^J3».afciV^^ *j£&JUi' © The Observer & Eccentric INDEX We beat For Home Newspapers APARTMENTS 03 any Delivery call: AUTOMOTIVE C6 Volume 43 AT&T «?~A (866) 887-2737 CROSSWORD PUZZLE C8 Number 48 HEALTH B5 Wireless g .; HOMETOWNLIFE CI JOBS C8 offer >.;J > NEW HOMES D1 Only at... OBITUARIES C4 OPINION All REAL ESTATE D2 Ford ft Merriman-ltd. SPORTS B1 s Garden City I 734.421.8000 Observer S Eccentric | Sunday, November II, 2007 AZ (W) LOCAL NEWS www.hometowtiiIfe.com AROUND WESTLAND In concert kicks off Wednesday, Nov. 16. shoes. There also will be a The longest drive-through raffle and 50/50 drawing. Companies create Singer Sarah Wilson will holiday light display in the Register at the door. perform songs from her CD Midwest, it will be open 7-10 A fifth-grader at Madison Saturday, Nov. 17, at AM VETS p.m. through Jan. 1. Enter off Elementary School, the Post 171,1217 Merriman, i of Merriman, between Ann youngster was injured when Westland. Tickets cost $2"Q Arbor Trail and Warren, in she and her cousin were hit and include dinner, Wilson's Westland. Cost is a $5 dona­ by a motorist while they were surprise for troops show and an open bar. Tickets tion per car. For more infor­ crossing Cherry Hill Oct. 18. must be purchased in advance mation, call ¢734) 261-1990. She is now out of the hospital VideoMagic Productions, fit," said Mark Salloum, owner women who are away from their and are available by calling and recovering at home. Clix Portrait Studio and and executive producer of VMP. loved ones this holiday," said ¢734) 721- 9440. Coffee Hours For more information or Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury "With the holidays rapidly Vena. "Any awareness we can State Rep. Richard LeBlanc, to make a donation, call iri Garden City are teaming approaching, it made sense to bring to local businesses to join Flu shot clinic D-Westland, will hold his Madison School at (734) 419- up to give military families offer this as a special gift to in their support would be great." TCF Bank Michigan in next local coffee hour 9-10:30 2710. the chance to record a video military personnel." Metropolitan Lincoln conjunction with the Visiting a.m. Monday, Nov. 12, at message and have professional After discovering that a Mercury is opening its doors, Nurse Association will offer the Westland Big Boy, 6360 Poker tournament photographs taken to send to neighboring photographer Clix and pockets, for the special flu shot clinics for the public N.