Patrick Joseph Mikes )
Rochester Hills — Pat Mikes Jr. is a smart kid. A straight-A student in high school, he received an academic scholarship to Notre Dame, where he has a double major in psychology and pre-med.
Instead of preparing to return to college for his senior year, however, he is sitting in the Oakland County Jail. He has been named by police as a "person of interest" in the disappearance of his dad.
Mikes, 21, of Troy, was arraigned Wednesday in District Court in Rochester Hills but not in relation to the disappearance. He was charged with the unauthorized use of his younger brother's credit card one day before the siblings reported their father missing.
The father, Patrick Joseph Mikes, was reported missing Sunday morning by his sons 40 hours after they said they saw him go out for a bike ride about 5:30 p.m. Friday and never return. Their father is an avid bicyclist, police said.
Last Thursday, Pat Mikes Jr. used the credit card at Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Auburn Hills, police said. He ate at a Johnny Rocket's restaurant and went to the movies, seeing "The Avengers" and "The Amazing Spider-Man."
His younger brother, Andrew, 16, didn't realize his credit card had been used until he was told by police looking into his father's disappearance.
Pat Mikes' attorney, Christopher Andreoff, defended his client in court.
"There are no psychological problems, no past criminal behavior," said the attorney, ticking off Mikes' academic accomplishments. "He has led a very wonderful life."
Troy and Auburn Hills police painted a different picture of Mikes, who has been in police custody since Sunday.
The home shared by the father and two sons showed signs of a violent encounter, said Troy Police Capt. Robert Redmond. Carpeting and other material were removed by police Sunday.
Also, officials said they believe Mikes is a threat to his brother, who is cooperating with police.
"We fear he could pose a threat to his welfare," Redmond said outside the courtroom Wednesday. "We suspect he is not happy."
Andrew attended the court hearing, where his brother wore orange-striped jail garb and was held in belly chains.
Also attending were their 23-year-old sister, two uncles and maternal grandparents. All declined comment. The siblings' mother died 10 years ago, said Redmond.
Andrew is staying with relatives at an undisclosed location.
Pat Mikes Jr. is being held in jail in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond. A preliminary examination was scheduled for later this month.
He is charged with three counts of unauthorized financial transactions, which are punishable by up to five years in prison on each count.
Among the bond conditions set by the court was that Mikes have no contact — face-to-face, by phone, by email or by third parties — with his brother.
Because Mikes is considered a flight risk, other bond conditions were set: that he not leave the state and not return to his home on Homewood. He also must notify authorities of his address and either become employed or attend school.
Meanwhile, on the tree-lined streets of the family's neighborhood, residents said the family lived a quiet and comfortable life.
Pat Mikes Jr. graduated from the University of Detroit Jesuit Academy, a male-only private school with $10,600 annual tuition. Alumni include author Elmore Leonard and Oakland County Exec L. Brooks Patterson.
The father and two sons were frequently seen playing basketball or tossing a football together. The "boys," as residents called them, were polite to the point of asking permission to enter their yards to fetch a ball that may have strayed there.
"I can't believe either of the boys would have anything to do with his disappearance," said neighbor Stella Patre.
"They have already had so much grief in their lives. First their mother, and now, maybe, their father taken from them."
She said the family moved in about a decade ago when the boys' mother was seriously ill.
Neighbors described the elder Mikes as friendly and the 6-foot, 170-pounder was seen frequently riding his red and black Cannondale Super 6 bicycle in the neighborhood, south of Long Lake Road and east of Adams.
The accountant for TRW Automotive was reportedly last seen wearing a yellow shirt and black spandex shorts.
Redmond said anyone who might have information about Mikes' whereabouts or routines is asked to call (248) 524-3447.
(248) 338-0319
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