On the heels of being named the safest city in Michigan, Sterling Heights experienced a series of serious and unique crimes last week.

Not only was it ironic, it also created a busy day for the department’s PR official who already was saddled with duties for a special event.

At 5:40 p.m. Wednesday, a 33-year-old male resident allegedly robbed the 7-Eleven store at Plumbrook and Schoenherr, also stealing the cashier’s vehicle. Three hours later he crashed the car nearby and fled to his home, where police waited for him.

Meanwhile, at about 11 p.m. a knife-wielding 47-year-old female resident was shot and wounded by a cop when she charged two officers inside her home, police say. Coppers responded to a call that the woman was suicidal and possibly overdoing on drugs. She was subsequently charged with attempted murder.

At 3:30 a.m. Thursday, special-unit cops forced their way into the alleged armed robber and carjacker’s home and found him hiding under a rug in the basement.

Department spokesman Luke Riley not only stayed up late to follow the turn of events, he arrived to work early to write a couple of press releases for the media.

At the same time, he had to prepare for the department’s annual awards ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday in the city council chambers.

Getting two hours sleep didn’t seem to faze veteran cop, who decided to look on the bright side.

“I didn’t mind,” he said. “I’d rather be busy. The day goes by faster.”

The Insider never likes to sound jaded, but it also creates a measure of job security, no?