Farmington Hills Police Devoted 2,000-Plus Hours to Cipriano Case

The July 24 sentencing of two men convicted in the brutal attack on a Farmington Hills family will close the door on an investigation launched April 16, 2012 by the Farmington Hills Police Department.

Police Chief Chuck Nebus estimates the department invested more than 2,000 hours in helping to convict Tucker Cipriano, 20, and Mitchell Young, 21, in the beating death of Tucker's father, Bob Cipriano, 52, and attacks on Bob's wife Rose, 51, and son Salvatore, 18. 

Nebus said that since the morning of the 911 call, "there has rarely been a day without someone working on the case."

Recently, six Farmington Hills officers earned state awards for their actions at the crime scene. They are credited with saving the lives of Rose and Salvatore and ensuring the safety of Salvatore's twin brother, Tanner, and younger sister, Isabelle, as well as aiding in the capture of Young and Cipriano.

"I am grateful the trial is over and proud of all of the department members who worked so hard on the case," Nebus said, adding that detectives are now turning more of their attention to other unsolved cases.

Nebus said he hopes the Cipriano family "will continue to heal physically and emotionally", and pointed out that the community has rallied to stand beside them. Notably, friends established the Cipriano Classic 5K Run/Walk to raise funds that support the Cipriano Children's Trust. 

In addition, the case has had state-wide repercussions, drawing attention to the use of synthetic marijuana, which was legally sold at gas stations and convenience stores. In June of 2012, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a ban on K2/Spice, after a number of municipalities and counties signed emergency orders banning the drug. In Oakland County, officials created signs that showed customers which businesses pledged to remove the synthetic drugs from their shelves. 

Nebus said media demand for the 911 call tapes also "provoked discussion and debate on privacy issues." A state lawmaker cited the case in proposing legislation that would set limits on media access to 911 tapes.