Men charged in Michigan Costco robbery
Commerce Township MI January 10 2019
Authorities are investigating whether two Detroit men arrested in connection with a robbery at Costco in Commerce Township could be tied to a string of similar crimes across metro Detroit.
The 20-year-old men were arrested Monday night after leading police on a wild chase through West Bloomfield.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, police were called around 7 p.m. to the store, located at 3000 Commerce Crossing. The men made their way to the jewelry display case, one carrying an ax and the other a sledgehammer. They proceeded to smash the case, demanding employees not move. The men then took a few pieces of jewelry and fled.
The suspects left the Costco in a silver or white Nissan Sentra, authorities said. Driving into West Bloomfield, police attempted a traffic stop but the driver failed to comply. The police then initiated a vehicle pursuit. At Maple and Inkster roads, the driver abruptly left the roadway and began driving through nearby backyards. The car struck the side of a house and ultimately, a tree.
The suspects jumped out of the car and fled on foot. The passenger of the vehicle was arrested at the scene, while the driver managed to escape. Uniformed officers from West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills and a multi-jurisdictional force called South Oakland Narcotics Intelligence Consortium (SONIC) coordinated a perimeter. Shortly after, the driver was caught by undercover deputies and officers as the man was seen walking down the roadway.
Criminal charges are pending for the two men, who are currently in the Oakland County jail.
It’s the latest in a series of jewelry smash-and-grabs in metro Detroit.
Last month, a suspect robbed a Tiffany and Co. store inside Somerset Collection in Troy. The suspect came inside the jeweler during regular hours and pepper-sprayed a security guard in the face, reported WXYZ-TV (Channel 7). The man smashed one of the jewelry cases with a hammer and took off with the items inside.
Also last month, three men entered the Kay Jewelers inside the Mall at Partridge Creek. One of the men smashed a display case full of rings, while the other two gathered up the jewelry, put them in trash bags, and ran out.
Authorities are investigating whether there is any connection between the crimes.
Detroit Press
