PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Plymouth Township police need your help identifying a man who was recorded installing fake cameras near a ballot drop box ahead of the primary.
The incidents are being invested as voter intimidation.
“The concern here is this individual trying to intimidate or coerce voters, and that’s very concerning to us in Plymouth Township,” said Plymouth Township Chief James Knittel.
Investigators believe the same person is responsible for two separate devices that were placed in January and February at Risen Christ Lutheran Church on Ann Arbor Road.
The first device was a security-style camera fixed to a light pole with a zip tie.
“The second time he came through there was a device that was put on the ground that had a flashing mechanism on it,” Knittel said. “It appeared that the mechanism would flash anytime an individual would pull up to the box, which is concerning for us.”
Plymouth Township Clerk, Jerry Vorva says it’s a concern to him and clerks all throughout the state.
“What is the intent of this person? Are they one of these disgruntled election deniers?” said Vorva who went on to say the person or persons responsible are “Sowing seeds of this kind of distrust of the system, and it’s really impacting the public where maybe they aren’t trusting the system.”
Once the devices were discovered, they were removed. State officials and The Attorney General’s Office have been notified.
Plymouth Township police are leading the investigation and say the consequences could be quite serious.
“It can be up to a felony and intimidating and coercing voters,” Knittel said.
In addition to the video surveillance images of the man they’re looking to identify, police also released pictures of the two cars he was seen using.
One is a grayish-blue car; the second is a white car, possibly a Nissan Leaf or a Honda Fit.
Your involvement is crucial. If you have any information that could help identify the suspect, please call (734) 354-3232. Together, we can ensure the safety and integrity of our voting system.