Macomb County authorities say a scheduled hearing was held for Monday for Endi Bala, 25, of Shelby Township, regarding allegations of attempted unlawful imprisonment of one child and the kidnapping of another child in August 2024, as well as charges related to damage he allegedly caused to the Macomb County Jail while in custody.
At this hearing, the parties stipulated to his mental competency.
Bala requested a Cobbs evaluation from Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Sabaugh.
A Cobbs evaluation is a sentencing evaluation made solely by the presiding judge and is not negotiated or approved by the prosecutor's office.
Sabaugh declined to provide the requested Cobbs evaluation. As a result, Bala refused to enter an expected no contest plea on all counts and the matter was not resolved.
The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office was prepared to proceed with the expected plea.
After refusing to proceed, Prosecutor Peter Lucido said Bala became disruptive in the courtroom and directed disrespectful remarks and behavior toward the victims and members of the public seated in the gallery.
The court scheduled a pretrial hearing for August 26.
“The Prosecutor’s Office was prepared to move forward, but the defendant chose not to proceed,” Lucido said. “This case has weighed heavily on the victims, their families, and our entire community, and we recognize the emotional toll it has taken.”
Bala is charged with the following counts:
Kidnapping – Child Enticement, a felony punishable by life or any term of years
Attempted Unlawful Imprisonment, a 5-year felony
Two Counts – Malicious Destruction of a Building - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, a 5-year felony
Four Counts – Malicious Destruction of Police Property, a 4-year felony
Two Counts - Assault and Battery, a 93-day misdemeanor
Reckless Driving, a 93-day misdemeanor.
The case against Bala stems from an incident that allegedly occurred on Aug. 13, 2024, when Bala is accused of attempting to unlawfully imprison a 15-year-old girl who was walking along Clinton River Road in Clinton Township.
According to allegations, a witness intervened, allowing the victim to escape, and Bala allegedly fled the scene.
About an hour later in Sterling Heights, Bala is accused of approaching a seven-year-old girl near the entrance of Clinton River Park North, forcibly removing her from her bicycle, placing her in his vehicle, and attempting to leave the park.
It is alleged that the child’s aunt intervened, enabling the girl to escape, and that Bala struck the aunt as she attempted to protect the child.
It is further alleged that while Bala was attempting to escape, he struck an 8-year-old boy with his vehicle. A good Samaritan allegedly blocked Bala’s vehicle, and detained Bala until law enforcement arrived.
It is further alleged that while in custody at the Macomb County jail, Bala damaged the building on two occasions by flooding his cell by stopping up the toilet. It is also alleged that he damaged police property by contaminating a telephone with excrement, twice breaking a cell window, and in two instances, he damaged smart tablets.
At this hearing, the parties stipulated to his mental competency.
Bala requested a Cobbs evaluation from Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Sabaugh.
A Cobbs evaluation is a sentencing evaluation made solely by the presiding judge and is not negotiated or approved by the prosecutor's office.
Sabaugh declined to provide the requested Cobbs evaluation. As a result, Bala refused to enter an expected no contest plea on all counts and the matter was not resolved.
The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office was prepared to proceed with the expected plea.
After refusing to proceed, Prosecutor Peter Lucido said Bala became disruptive in the courtroom and directed disrespectful remarks and behavior toward the victims and members of the public seated in the gallery.
The court scheduled a pretrial hearing for August 26.
“The Prosecutor’s Office was prepared to move forward, but the defendant chose not to proceed,” Lucido said. “This case has weighed heavily on the victims, their families, and our entire community, and we recognize the emotional toll it has taken.”
Bala is charged with the following counts:
Kidnapping – Child Enticement, a felony punishable by life or any term of years
Attempted Unlawful Imprisonment, a 5-year felony
Two Counts – Malicious Destruction of a Building - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, a 5-year felony
Four Counts – Malicious Destruction of Police Property, a 4-year felony
Two Counts - Assault and Battery, a 93-day misdemeanor
Reckless Driving, a 93-day misdemeanor.
The case against Bala stems from an incident that allegedly occurred on Aug. 13, 2024, when Bala is accused of attempting to unlawfully imprison a 15-year-old girl who was walking along Clinton River Road in Clinton Township.
According to allegations, a witness intervened, allowing the victim to escape, and Bala allegedly fled the scene.
About an hour later in Sterling Heights, Bala is accused of approaching a seven-year-old girl near the entrance of Clinton River Park North, forcibly removing her from her bicycle, placing her in his vehicle, and attempting to leave the park.
It is alleged that the child’s aunt intervened, enabling the girl to escape, and that Bala struck the aunt as she attempted to protect the child.
It is further alleged that while Bala was attempting to escape, he struck an 8-year-old boy with his vehicle. A good Samaritan allegedly blocked Bala’s vehicle, and detained Bala until law enforcement arrived.
It is further alleged that while in custody at the Macomb County jail, Bala damaged the building on two occasions by flooding his cell by stopping up the toilet. It is also alleged that he damaged police property by contaminating a telephone with excrement, twice breaking a cell window, and in two instances, he damaged smart tablets.
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