Theft and Property Crimes

March 6, 2013

String of Strong Armed Robberies Leads to Arrest of Five Suspects in East Lansing

A string of strong armed robberies that occurred on Sunday February 17 between the hours of 1:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. have led to the arrest of five individuals, one of them a juvenile. The robberies took placed in Cedar Village and the Valley Neighborhood according to a news report at MLive.com.

The five suspects were arrested by East Lansing Police on March 1. The juvenile was not named, but the adults suspected in the robberies include 17-year-old Davion Dashawn Scott, 17-year-old Dallas Ledesma Benitez, 18-year-old Nicholas Marlon Jackson, and 18-year-old Rodricus Delmere McDuffy. All four of the men are from the Lansing area.

According to Lt. Scott Wriggelsworth, the five suspects were in a vehicle and would approach individuals walking on the streets, asking for directions or change. Upon the victim stopping, the men would then “strong arm” or assault the individual, then steal his or her possessions.

The suspects were stopped a short time later at the Linden-Bailey intersection after police were given descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle. According to Lt. Wriggelsworth, there were eight victims all total and five robberies at various locations; a few of the victims were said to have suffered minor injuries.

The suspects were arrested following the robberies, but were released after processing for further investigation. The four adults were formally charged on March 1, each charged with five counts of unarmed robbery, one count of home invasion, one count of conspiracy and one count of assault with intent to rob.

Unarmed robbery is a serious criminal offense. Michigan unarmed robbery attorneys understand the harsh criminal penalties individuals face if convicted, and the urgency in hiring an experienced lawyer to protect against those penalties.

March 1, 2013

Canton Verizon Store Robbed; Four Canton Schools Locked Down as a Result

by Scott Grabel

On Monday February 25, a Canton Verizon Wireless store located on Ford Road was the target of an armed robbery which resulted in four elementary schools in Canton being placed on lockdown. According to news reports at MyFoxDetroit.com, three suspects entered the store, one carrying an assault rifle. The three suspects, who were described as black men, were reportedly wearing masks during the commission of the armed robbery.

The lockdown was lifted on the elementary schools after police apprehended the suspects; according to Canton Police Lt. Debra Newsome, the lockdown was lifted at approximately 12:15 p.m., just over an hour after the robbery occurred. The schools that were under the lockdown include Bentley, Eriksson, Field, and Hoben Elementary schools.

Following the robbery, the three suspects got into a vehicle and fled; when police spotted the vehicle near Saltz and Oakview, they rammed it with a patrol car after the suspects refused to stop, according to a witness, Jack Cardwell. Cardwell explained that once the officer struck the car, the three suspected (who Cardwell described as “kids”) got out of the vehicle and fled on foot toward the woods.

Ironically, the suspects left clues for the police officers, who quickly apprehended the three men. After running out of the woods, the snow on the ground revealed footprints which were pointing in the direction of a storm cellar located on Willard. This is where police found the suspects.

According to Sergeant Mark Gajeski, no weapons were found on the suspects, but there were weapons discovered in the vehicle that Gajeski said would be considered the “automatic weapons” that employees from Verizon reported. No one was injured in the robbery, and police reported that no shots were fired. However, police believe that the suspects match the description of individuals who may have been involved in two other armed robberies in Garden City and Westland.

As all experienced Michigan armed robbery attorneys know, individuals who are convicted on a charge of armed robbery face serious criminal penalties. The minimum sentence is two years in prison; however, when money or property is stolen and a weapon is involved (or even the insinuation of a weapon), those accused may face life in prison if found guilty.

February 21, 2013

22-Year-Old Lansing Man Facing Potential Lengthy Prison Sentence Following Alleged Shooting and Robbery

by Scott Grabel

On Sunday February 10, 22-year-old Christopher Sams of Lansing was arrested after allegedly shooting another man during a robbery. The incident occurred at around midnight at the corner of Southland and Washington avenues, according to news reports.

Robert Merritt, public information officer with the Lansing police, said that the alleged victim had suffered gunshot wounds to his buttocks after he and a friend were followed as they walked home from a local party store, where they had purchased a few items. According to the victim, as the two men followed one of them struck him in the back of the head, demanding money as he brandished a handgun. After denying the suspect’s demand for money, the alleged victim turned and began walking in the direction of his residence; this is when he said that he felt pain in his lower backside after hearing a gunshot. Sams was located and arrested shortly thereafter.

On Tuesday February 12, Sams was arraigned in Lansing District Court on numerous charges including felony firearm, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, armed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. Upon arresting Sams, police said they did not find the second suspect or the handgun.

The victim’s wounds did require surgery, however his injuries were determined not to be life-threatening. Sams’ pretrial conference was set for February 19 before Lansing District Judge Hugh Clarke; his bond was set at $200,000 cash surety.

If convicted of the charges against him, Sams likely faces many years behind bars. As seasoned Michigan criminal defense lawyers, we know that charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm carry harsh criminal penalties for those convicted. On its own, this charge can leave the defendant facing a fine of up to $5,000 and up to 10 years in prison. Combined with the other charges, the consequences will be even worse.

February 20, 2013

Ypsilanti’s Wolverine Grill Target of Burglary

by Scott Grabel

On Tuesday, February 19, the Wolverine Grill in downtown Ypsilanti was broken into; a laptop computer and printer were stolen from the popular restaurant. At the time of news reports at AnnArbor.com, police did not know who committed the crime. Sgt. Dennis Szymankiewicz of the Ypsilanti police said that while they did not know who broke into the establishment located in the 200 block of West Michigan Avenue, the two glass doors which enter the business were smashed.

Kevin Hill, owner of the business, said that the burglary came as a surprise, and that it was the first for the Wolverine Grill, which has been in business for nearly half a century. Hill believed that whoever stole the laptop and printer knew what they were after, as the cash register was not bothered (although it had no cash in it at the time). He also reported that there was no damage to the building other than the smashed glass doors. Although he normally takes the laptop home with him in the evenings, Hill said he did not on Monday evening because he knew he would not need it.

Hill reported that he was involved in a conversation with someone just days before the burglary, and that the conversation was in regards to the lack of break-ins on Michigan Avenue recently. Hill said in news reports that it was “ironic” that the break-in would happen to his establishment just days after the conversation. He is a member of both the Downtown Association of Ypsilanti’s board of directors and the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority.

Michigan breaking and entering attorneys understand that while breaking into an establishment in itself is a misdemeanor offense, it is what happens afterward that can lead to serious criminal charges. For instance, an individual who breaks and enters with intent to steal money or property may face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Penalties may be more severe depending on whether the individual who allegedly committed the crime has a prior criminal record.

February 19, 2013

Ann Arbor Man Pleads Guilty to Two Counts of Unarmed Robbery

by Scott Grabel

On January 11 of this year, the Check-N Go located at 1912 W. Stadium Blvd. was robbed by an armed gunman. James Romell Robinson, a 23-year-old Ann Arbor man, has pleaded guilty to two counts of unarmed robbery; he was initially charged with two counts of unarmed robbery and two counts of armed robbery. The armed robbery counts against him will be dropped in exchange for his guilty plea, according to news reports at AnnArbor.com.

Robinson went into the Check-N Go at approximately 1 p.m. that day, passing a note to a clerk which implied that he had a weapon. Before leaving with the cash given to him by the clerk, Robinson allegedly demanded all of the employees lay down on the floor.

Police were in search of Robinson for a time; Detective William Stanford described Robinson as “armed and dangerous,” and asked anyone with information to call the department or Crime Stoppers. Robinson turned himself in on February 4 after a warrant was approved for his arrest on February 1.

Robinson attended his first court hearing following his February 5 arraignment on Thursday, February 14; he is currently being held on a $25,000 cash bond at the Washtenaw County Jail while he awaits sentencing.

The maximum penalty for unarmed robbery is 15 years in prison.

Michigan unarmed robbery attorneys know that had the defendant in this case not pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery, he could have faced even harsher penalties. In Michigan, even if an individual has no weapon but implies that he/she is armed in an effort to intimidate the victim, that individual may face penalties for armed robbery, potentially being imprisoned for life.

February 15, 2013

Michigan State Trooper Shot While in Pursuit of Suspected Armed Robbers, Expected to Recover

by Scott Grabel

On Monday February 11, a 12-year veteran of the Michigan State Police was shot in the leg while in pursuit of individuals suspected in armed robberies which have occurred on Detroit’s east side recently. The trooper, who was unnamed in news reports, was taken to an area hospital where he is expected to fully recover, according to Lt. Mike Shaw.

Many homes in the Detroit area are vacant, presenting a real danger as troopers searched the area in pursuit of two suspects who had fled following a traffic stop. The suspects were wanted in connection with several armed robberies which had occurred over the weekend. According to news reports at the Detroit Free Press, the suspects were impersonating police during the commission of the robberies.

Lt. Shaw told news sources that Michigan State Police officers were alerted by Detroit police investigators to stop a vehicle which was suspected in connection with the robberies. M.S.P. stopped the vehicle in the area of Townsend and Gratiot just before 4 a.m. Upon the stop, four suspects fled on foot down Townsend, leaving police searching the abandoned homes in the area to locate the suspects. This is when the shooting occurred, leaving the trooper with a leg injury.

Two suspects were arrested immediately following the shooting, however the other two suspects had not been located at the time news reports were released.

Michigan armed robbery attorneys understand the serious consequences individuals who are convicted of armed robbery face. At a minimum, you will face two years in prison; however, when force or violence is used, property or money stolen and a weapon is present or even insinuated, you may spend 15 years to life behind bars. The additional crime of shooting a police officer will no doubt result in even harsher penalties if the suspects in this incident are convicted of the crimes they are accused of.

February 6, 2013

24-year-old DeWitt Man Linked to Multiple East Lansing Home Invasions

by Scott Grabel

Zachary Jacob Vaughn, a 24-year-old DeWitt man, was recently charged in a string of home invasion incidents in the East Lansing area which took place between January 11 and January 17, according to the Lansing State Journal. Most of the alleged crimes occurred in the Bailey neighborhood.

Vaughn is believed to have committed nearly a dozen home invasions in the area recently. On January 17, East Lansing police were dispatched following a report of a home invasion in progress in the 900 block of Roxburgh Avenue. Upon their arrival, Vaughn allegedly fled on foot, resulting in a brief chase by officers who apprehended and then arrested him.

Police state they have linked Vaughn to at least nine home invasions after investigating, although it is believed he was involved in more. Vaughn currently faces three felony counts of home invasion following his arraignment in East Lansing District Court; news reports claim that there are five additional counts pending against him, all related to home invasion. Vaughn also faces a charge of felony receiving and concealing stolen property in Eaton County.

Michigan criminal defense attorneys know that the penalties an individual may face if convicted on charges of home invasion often depend on whether the charge was first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree, and whether the individual has a prior criminal record. If convicted on a charge of first-degree home invasion, and individual may face fines of up to $5,000 and up to 20 years in prison. A conviction for third-degree home invasion could potentially leave you facing fines of up to $2,000 and up to five years in prison.

January 10, 2013

Robber Snags Three Bags of Cash in Bold Midday McDonald’s Robbery in Rochester

by Scott Grabel

On Monday, a McDonald’s restaurant located at 808 S. in Rochester Hills was robbed at approximately 12:50 p.m. The alleged crime has been called “bold” in news reports, because it occurred during the noon hour, one of the busiest times of the day.

The robber left the scene with three green bank bags, although the amount of cash taken was not revealed, according to Oakland County sheriff’s deputies. Police say the man who alleged robbed the fast-food restaurant was dressed in a black hoodie and black hat, and that he was about 5 foot 5 inches tall.

An employee at the McDonald’s restaurant told deputies that it was believed that the robber was armed, although no one actually saw a gun or weapon.

The area where the robbery occurred is an affluent neighborhood in Oakland County. News sources state that the man fled the scene of the robbery, then entered a 4-door Pontiac Grand Prix which was grey in color. The sheriff’s report said that the suspect was last seen driving toward a nearby fitness center.

Securities cameras located inside the McDonald’s are being reviewed by the sheriff’s office, who said it was uncertain how many customers were on the premises at the time. No injuries were reported during the robbery.

Michigan criminal defense attorneys know that the fact of whether an individual is armed when committing a robbery is a huge factor in the penalties that individual will face if convicted. When it is a first offense, an individual convicted on a charge of unarmed robbery will typically face a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. However, if it is found that an individual committed armed robbery, the penalties are far worse; even if that individual had no weapon but conveyed that he or she had a weapon on his or her person, that individual could be put in prison for life.

January 9, 2013

‘Famous’ MMA Fighter Possibly Facing 15 Years Behind Bars for Home Invasion, Other Charges

by Scott Grabel

Richard Bastuba gained fame in Michigan and was the subject of many local radio shows after he subdued an unruly fan at a 2009 Detroit Lions game. Now, the 41-year-old Mixed Martial Arts fighter known as “Righteous Rick” may be facing as much as 15 years in prison after being charged with conspiracy to commit second-degree home invasion, and receiving and concealing stolen property between $1,000 and $20,000.

Bastuba, who is 41 years old, pleaded no contest to the charges late in 2012. Deputies allege that a home invasion was reported to their office in September of 2011, and that Bastuba was involved. According to news reports, the alleged victim of the home invasion reported to deputies that over the course of a few months, his home had been broken into several times and that during these break-ins, valuable comic books had been stolen.

Bastuba was eventually arrested following a lengthy investigation; two juveniles were also arrested. Following an attempt to sell the stolen comic books to deputies who were undercover at a Biggby location in Ann Arbor, Bastuba was placed under arrest.

Drew and Mike, WRIF radio personalities, made Bastuba famous in 2009 following an incident at a Detroit Lions game in which a man grabbed the hair of one of Bastuba’s friends; Bastuba then subdued the man by putting him in a chokehold. The radio personalities had Bastuba as a guest on their radio show.

The penalties for home invasion or breaking and entering are severe. As in Bastuba’s case, second-degree home invasion can mean punishment which includes up to 15 years in prison and fines of as much as $3,000. If an individual is found guilty of first-degree home invasion, he or she may face up to 20 years behind bars, and be ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. Michigan criminal defense lawyers know that penalties may become even more harsh if the individual has a prior criminal record.

January 2, 2013

Three Men Charged in Southfield Shooting and Robbery at TGI Friday’s

by Scott Grabel

On Friday December 28, a man was allegedly shot and robbed at approximately 7 p.m. in a TGI Friday parking lot in Southfield. Police received the information and acted quickly, resulting in the arrest of three men. A fourth man was also apprehended, but was not charged with a crime.

After receiving information given to police by the victim, officers fled in pursuit of the suspects. According to Lt. Nick Loussia of the Southfield Police, officers stopped a vehicle that matched the description of the car they were given. Items that were stolen from the alleged victim were recovered, and four men were taken into custody although a weapon was not located. News reports state that police closed down southbound lanes of the Lodge Freeway between Seven and Eight Mile roads, but did not find a gun. They believed that the suspects may have tossed the gun from the vehicle.

Those charged in the crime include 19-year-old Jordan T. Brown of Lima, Ohio, 21-year-old Paris O. McGhee of Detroit, and 19-year-old Kevon B. Ingram of Lima, Ohio. McGhee and Brown were charged with armed robbery; Ingram was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, according to a Southfield Police Department news release. Brown is also charged with possession of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Bond was set at $10,000 or 10% for Ingram, $250,000 for McGhee and 1 million for Brown.

Armed robbery is considered an extremely serious offense in the state of Michigan. Those who are arrested must seek the skill and expertise of a seasoned Michigan criminal defense attorney. Without aggressive legal counsel, individuals convicted of this offense may face substantial prison time.