Theft and Property Crimes

July 10, 2013

Lansing Motorist Robbed at Gunpoint by Man Impersonating Police

On Monday July 8, a 34-year-old Lansing man was pulled over by a man he believed to be a police officer, then robbed at gunpoint. Robert Merrit, Lansing police public information officer, said in a news article at Mlive.com that at around 10:50 p.m. on Monday, police were dispatched to the area of Lindbergh Drive and Pennsylvania Avenue after receiving reports of an armed robbery.

The robbery victim, who was not identified, said that noticed a car behind him with a flashing red light as he drove near Baker Street along Pennsylvania Avenue. He pulled over on Lindbergh Drive assuming that police were attempting to stop him. The victim told police that the car pulled in behind him; after getting out of the vehicle, the man who the victim assumed to be a police officer approached his driver-side window, then demanded his wallet after pointing a handgun at him.

The victim gave the suspect his wallet along with the keys to his vehicle and cell phone. He was then instructed to walk away from his vehicle while the suspect got back in his car and fled the scene. He was not injured according to news reports.

Merritt described the vehicle the suspect was driving as a Chevy Impala, dark in color and possibly a 2006 model. The red horizontal blinking light was located on the middle of the dashboard and approximately one foot in length. The suspect is believed to be between 25 and 35 years old, of medium build with short black hair and sporting a goatee and mustache. He was described to be approximately 6 feet tall, wearing blue jeans and a white jersey top with green lettering.

When apprehended, the suspect in this case may face charges of armed robbery and impersonating a police officer.

While the news article stated that the suspect robbed the driver at gunpoint, Michigan armed robbery lawyers know that an individual does not have to have an actual weapon to be charged with this serious criminal offense. Even the insinuation of a weapon can leave an individual facing a life sentence if convicted according to the Michigan Penal Code 750.529.

July 4, 2013

Sparta Man Faces Felony Charges Following Alleged Armed Robbery of Admiral Gas Station

by Scott Grabel

33-year-old Jason Michael Warfield of Sparta was recently charged in connection with the June 21 armed robbery of an Admiral gas station located at 206 S. State Street. Warfield allegedly used a knife and bicycle in the commission of the crime.

According to a news article at Mlive.com, Warfield made his getaway on a bicycle after taking cash and cigarettes from a clerk at knifepoint. The robbery took place at around 10 p.m. After fleeing on a bicycle, police arrived at a nearby home after a tracking dog followed Warfield’s scent, according to Sparta Police Chief Andrew Milanowski.

While there was no one at the home when police got there, a vehicle arrived shortly thereafter. Warfield was inside the vehicle, and ran inside the house with a bag in his hand; he was then arrested. The suspect was charged with armed robbery as a habitual offender and possession of narcotics, less than 25 grams.

Considered a habitual offender due to convictions for domestic violence more than a decade ago, Warfield was given the opportunity by the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office to plead guilty to charges of armed robbery and possession of narcotics less than 25 grams. Warfield’s status as a habitual or repeat offender could result in a much harsher sentence should the defendant not agree to the plea deal. In fact, he could face a sentence of life in prison.

As of the morning of July 4, Warfield remained in the Kent County Jail on a $260,000 bond.

Michigan armed robbery attorneys understand that in order to be charged with this serious criminal offense, an individual does not have to wield a gun and escape in a “getaway” car. In fact, there does not have to be a weapon at all. If an individual even insinuates the presence of a weapon in order to instill fear in the victim, he/she may be charged with armed robbery, although no actual weapon exists.

July 1, 2013

18-year-old Former Standout Athlete Charged with Breaking and Entering, Safe-Breaking

by Scott Grabel

In May of this year, 18-year-old Zachary Scott Gnass pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering in connection with a February incident at the Byron Center Market, located at 2592 84th St. SW, according to a news article at Mlive.com. Gnass is a former Byron Center High School student and standout athlete, having been on the wrestling team at school and playing tackle for the Bulldogs football team.

Gnass had an accomplice in the breaking and entering scheme, 19-year-old Jacob Curtis Awrey. Both defendants are alleged to have broken into the market after hours, stealing liquor and the cash box. According to police, surveillance video helped lead to the arrest of the two teens.

The charge of safe-breaking came about after Awrey told investigators that the cash box was broken open by Gnass. A law implemented in 1931 in Michigan makes safe-breaking an offense which is considered as high level as armed robbery, putting the accused at risk of facing life in prison. The Michigan statute reads, “Any person…who shall attempt to break, burn, blow up or otherwise injure or destroy any safe, vault or other depository of money, bonds or other valuables in any building or place, shall, whether he succeeds or fails in the perpetration of such larceny or felony, be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for life or any term of years.”

Gnass pleaded guilty to the breaking and entering charge in order to have the safe-breaking charge against him dropped in his negotiations with Kent County Prosecutors, and has no prior felony record. However, in order to have the most serious charge dropped, prosecutors required that Gnass accept increased penalties for the charges of breaking and entering. He will be sentenced to between almost two years and 10 years in prison, and is scheduled to be sentenced June 25 in Muskegon County Circuit Court.

In total, Gnass faces sentencing on four charges of breaking and entering in connection with a series of incidents involving an hydroponics store and three smoke shops. On Monday June 24, Gnass apologized to the store owners and the court before Kent County Circuit Court Judge James Robert Redford, vowing to pay restitution both to the insurance company and market owners.

Michigan criminal defense lawyers understand that while breaking and entering is a serious criminal offense, young people – particularly teens – often make mistakes without first considering the potential consequences of their actions.

June 17, 2013

Detroit Man Faces Charges of Home Invasion, Assault Involving Ex-Girlfriend

by Scott Grabel

A 24-year-old Detroit man whose name has not been released pending his arraignment is facing charges of first-degree home invasion and other offenses related to an incident involving his ex-girlfriend on Wednesday, June 12. According to a news article at AnnArbor.com, the man allegedly forced his way into his ex-girlfriends home, then choked her when an argument began.

The suspect and the alleged victim had recently broken up following a long-term relationship, according to Detective Sgt. Thomas Eberts who said police responded to the woman’s residence, located in the 1100 block of Monroe Street after receiving a report of domestic violence. Apparently the suspect had asked his ex-girlfriend to talk about things, but she would not agree to see him.

The suspect went to her home anyway; when the 25-year-old woman answered the door, the suspect forced his way inside the home according to Eberts, who said that according to the woman the fight began after the man ran inside the home. He allegedly got on top of the woman and began choking her after slapping her numerous times. Eberts also said that the woman’s shirt was torn in the altercation.

When police responded to the call, the suspect had fled. He was arrested the following day when he returned to his ex-girlfriend’s residence and another person who was present reported to police. The suspect was being held at the Washtenaw County Jail and is charged with first-degree home invasion, aggravated domestic violence, and assault by strangulation.

Police said no weapons were used in the assault, and that the alleged victim did not require medical treatment.

Michigan home invasion lawyers know that breaking and entering is a serious offense, even when the alleged victim is someone you know. When an individual breaks into a home with intent to steal or assault an individual who is lawfully inside the dwelling, he or she may be convicted of first-degree home invasion. The penalties for this felony offense include fines of up to $5,000 and up to 20 years in prison.

June 4, 2013

Sebewaing Man Arrested for Shotgun Robbery of Pittsfield Township BP Station

by Scott Grabel

On Monday June 3, Pittsfield Township police arrested a Sebewaing man who is 25 years old and believed to be involved in a robbery that occurred at the BP station located at 4975 Washtenaw Avenue.

Police suspect that the man may also be involved in another BP station robbery that took place on the previous Saturday afternoon; this station is located at 3720 Washtenaw Avenue. In both cases, the suspect brandished what was described as a “long” gun or shotgun.

In the Saturday incident, Lt. Renee Bush of the Ann Arbor police said that the suspect demanded money from the clerk after entering the station and brandishing a long gun. He then allegedly fled on foot, getting into a white colored older model car behind the business, according to witnesses who were pumping gas.

On Monday, the 25-year-old suspect entered the BP station holding a shotgun and wearing a mask. While it was not revealed in a news article at Annarbor.com whether the suspect got away with money, he fled in a vehicle just as officers were arriving on scene. After investigators were notified that the man pulled into a location off of Golfside Road, a search was underway which included the K-9 unit shared by the Pittsfield Township and Ypsilanti police departments. The suspect was taken into custody after being located by an officer.

While it isn’t known for certain if the suspect committed both BP robberies, news reports indicate that in both cases the suspect was wearing a ski mask and brandishing a gun. The suspect in the Saturday robbery is described as a white male who is described to have a skinny build and height of between 5’8″ and 6′ tall.

Armed robbery is an extremely serious offense in Michigan. As all Michigan armed robbery lawyers know, an individual who is convicted of stealing money from an establishment while in possession of a weapon, or who even insinuates the presence of a weapon may face life in prison.

May 31, 2013

23-year-old Detroit Man to Appear in Court on Armed Robbery, Other Charges

by Scott Grabel

Jamill Devon Passmore, a 23-year-old Detroit man who allegedly assisted in setting up a group of EMU students who were robbed of personal items outside of the Westview Apartments in January of this year, is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, May 30 for a pretrial hearing before Judge David Swartz.

According to EMU police, a student and four guests who had been watching a basketball game at the student’s apartment were robbed of cell phones, Rolex watches and other items as they left the apartment at approximately 1:30 a.m. Two men approached the group and implied that they had a weapon before robbing the group of men. Police believed that one of the visitors who had been in the student’s apartment was involved in the robbery because of “statements that some of the guests made.”

The student who lived in the apartment, Charles Bell, watched the game with Passmore, William Gholston, Michael Jefferson, and Reggie James, all of whom were believed to be EMU students other than James. Passmore repeatedly left the apartment to walk and talk on his cell phone according to a news article at Annarbor.com. Police believe he was talking with two men that he had driven from Detroit to Ypsilanti with.

When the five men (including Passmore) left the apartment, they were reportedly going to meet some girls at a party. According to Gholston, the men had been out of the apartment only seconds when they were threatened by two men who approached them from behind and said they had a weapon. Three of the group got down on the ground, however Passmore and Jefferson ran according to testimony. Jefferson said that as he and Passmore ran from the suspected robbers, Passmore attempted to rob him. Jefferson testified that Passmore grabbed the back of his head and slammed him to the ground. After failing an attempt to take Jefferson’s Rolex, he fled the scene.

Police determined that Passmore had been involved in a setup with two other men to rob the victims. He was charged with assault with intent to rob while unarmed, four counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and four counts of armed robbery. He is currently being held in the Washtenaw County Jail on a $75,000 cash bond.

Michigan armed robbery attorneys know that individuals convicted of armed robbery face a minimum of two years in prison, and may be sentenced to life behind bars.

May 30, 2013

Suspect in Stabbing of 64-year-old BP Customer Caught on Surveillance Footage

by Scott Grabel

Maurice Abraham, a 27-year-old Detroit resident, may face trial after he was caught on surveillance footage at a BP gas station in the 20200 block of the southbound Lodge Freeway stabbing a 64-year-old man repeatedly after entering the store. Abraham’s case has been bound over to the Wayne County Circuit Court. He was charged by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office with assault with intent to murder, armed robbery, and assault with intent to do great bodily harm.

Abraham had also been charged with resisting and obstructing arrest, however those two counts were dismissed due to lack of evidence. The incident took place on May 11 at about 5 a.m. as Abraham allegedly approached the 64-year-old man as he was leaving the BP station, demanding his money.

The older man was chased by Abraham after fleeing back inside the station, then repeatedly stabbed as other patrons and employees witnessed the incident. He survived his injuries, although the suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

Abraham reportedly lives in the area according to a news article at Mlive.com. Detroit Police Lt. David LeValley said that the video tape was broadcast on several newscasts, and that because of the broadcasts a tip was received providing the name of the suspect. Abraham remained in jail on Wednesday May 29 pending payment of a $100,000 bond.

Michigan criminal defense lawyers know that both armed robbery and assault with intent to murder are extremely serious charges, leaving individuals who are convicted facing harsh punishment. Armed robbery may be punishable by up to 15 years in prison depending on the circumstances; assault with intent to murder may leave the accused facing any number of years up to life in prison.

May 29, 2013

Lansing Man Charged with Home Invasion, Other Charges Following Stand Off with Police

by Scott Grabel

On Tuesday May 28, 28-year-old Lewis West was arraigned on numerous felony charges including first-degree home invasion and assault by strangulation after he allegedly broke into a home and then became involved in a stand off with police which lasted several hours, according to a news article at Mlive.com.

West, who went before Lansing District Judge Frank DeLuca on Tuesday, was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, felony firearm, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in addition to the previously mentioned offenses.

The incident unfolded when a man in the 1100 block of Comfort Street waved down a Lansing police officer who was patrolling the area at approximately 5:40 a.m. The man, who is 17 years old, reported to police that West attacked a woman who was inside a residence after forcing his way into the home. The 17-year-old then attempted to intervene in the altercation, and was physically assaulted by the suspect. According to the news article, both the woman and the 17-year-old were threatened by West with a firearm.

There was also a small child inside the home with the woman; when the young man escaped to flag down police, the woman and child were unable to flee. Upon their arrival, police officers attempted to make verbal contact with those inside the home, but could not get any response. Negotiators and tactical officers were then called to the home at approximately 7 a.m. After nearly three hours, West came out of the home and was arrested without incident according to police.

Judge DeLuca scheduled West’s preliminary exam for June 6; West’s bond was set at $300,000 cash surety.
As Michigan home invasion lawyers are aware, the penalties for individuals convicted of first-degree home invasion are severe, and include fines of up to $5,000 and up to 20 years in prison. Penalties may be even harsher if the individuals has a prior criminal record.

May 22, 2013

Ypsilanti Township Man Convicted of Robbing 2012 Graduation Party Sentenced to Up to 10 Years in Prison

by Scott Grabel

Javon Hurston, a 35-year-old Ypsilanti Township man, was sentenced to up to 10 years in Prison on Monday May 20 for his role in the robbery of a graduation party last year. In April, Hurston pleaded no contest to numerous criminal charges; thirteen of those charges will be dismissed including one count of first-degree home invasion, five counts of assault with intent to rob while armed, and seven counts of armed robbery.

According to a news article at Annarbor.com, Hurston was sentenced by Judge Darlene O’Brien to 35 months to five years for carrying a concealed weapon, two years for felony firearm, two years for possession with intent to deliver marijuana, and up to five years for one count of felon in possession of a weapon.

The graduation party was being held in an apartment on June 4, 2012. Hurston testified that at approximately 2:30 a.m., he and an unidentified man were outside in the area of the apartment when two women approached the two men and wanted to buy marijuana. Hurston and the other man were armed and attempted to rob the women, who didn’t have anything to offer the two men according to Sgt. Geoff Fox of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.

After forcing the women to take them to the apartment where the graduation party was being held, Hurst and the other suspect allegedly stole cell phones, money, jewelry, and drugs from those attending the party while brandishing weapons.

Erika Julien, Hurston’s court-appointed lawyer, called the case a “hot mess,” saying that the graduation party was packed with drunk kids, and that race may have played a role. Julien indicated that some of the individuals who were at the party exaggerated what happened, making the situation sound worse than it actually was. She also contends that the two women outside of the apartment invited Hurston and the unidentified man up to the party, and that others who were in attendance seemed to object. Hurston is biracial; the man who was with him was black according to the news report.

While the details of the incident remain unclear, it looks as though Hurston will be spending a substantial period of time behind bars.

May 10, 2013

Beverly Hills Man Sentenced to 137 Years for Arson, Insurance Fraud in Detroit Area

by Scott Grabel

Ali Darwich, a 31-year-old man who lives in Beverly Hills, was sentenced on Wednesday May 8 to 137 years in prison following his December conviction for his role in an arson ring that resulted in insurance companies being defrauded of more than $5 million. Darwich was initially arrested in 2008 as he was seen fleeing from a burning building in Detroit.

According to a news article at Mlive.com, Darwich was sentenced in federal court and was among a total of nine individuals who allegedly participated in the insurance fraud ring. All of the eight other suspects have been sentenced after pleading guilty.

Federal officials said that in total, seven insurance companies were defrauded. The individuals involved in the arson ring allegedly purchased insurance on a number of vehicles, homes, and businesses. They would then cause floods, set the properties on fire, or otherwise vandalize them so that they could collect insurance money for replacement, repairs, and other costs including lost profits.

Darwich allegedly set a fire at Warrendale Hardware in Detroit that resulted in damages of more than $500,000. In 2008, he was observed going into a building on Cheyenne Street in Detroit, then fleeing with what appeared to be a bottle of liquid as the building burned. News reports also state that Darwich attempted to conceal the arson/insurance fraud operation by shifting ownership of the properties around to friends and family members.

Several agencies participated in the investigation of the arson ring including Dearborn police, Detroit fire departments, the IRS and the FBI.

Michigan arson attorneys know that in a situation such as this one, the consequences are extremely serious. Not only may those involved be charged with arson, but with insurance fraud as well. As is evident in this case, individuals who are convicted may spend the rest of their lives behind bars.