Police: Plants at Lakeside Mall still belong to the shopping center

Sterling Heights police have a word or two of advice for anyone looking to take a plant from the soon-to-be-closed Lakeside Mall.

“False information,” is how police labeled their advice in a Facebook post Sunday afternoon.

Someone earlier had posted a message saying the plants that remain at the shopping center on Hall Road are free for anyone interested in removing them.

“The workers said all (of) them will be thrown out when they close the mall down,” the post read. “Figured I’d let the plant lovers know!”

According to police, people have been showing up at the mall trying to remove the plants.

“Be sure to verify information like this prior to driving out to location,” police said in their Facebook post.

Opened in the 1970s, the mall owners plan to close the nearly-empty shopping center for good July 1. Portions of the building will then be demolished and construction will soon begin on a $1 billion redevelopment program.