Investigation continues into two armed robberies in Independence Township, both happening the same morning.
At 9:50 a.m., June 14, a suspect approached a clerk at the Sunoco gas station on M-15 north of I-75, saying he had a bomb in his pocket.
‘That’s the first use of a bomb threat in a robbery that I’ve heard of,? said Det. Sgt. Matt Baldes, Independence Township Substation, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect is described as a 25-30 year old man, white, about 6-feet-tall, wearing a white shirt with blue and yellow stripes and plaid shorts, beige fedora hat with dark-colored hat band. He fled north on foot. A sheriff K-9 unit tracked the suspect for about 100 yards, ending at Amy Drive were it appeared the suspect got into a vehicle.
Security video from the gas station is being reviewed, and investigation continues.
A hour-and-a-half after that robbery, two boys, 12 and 14, were reportedly approached by an armed robber at Bridgewater Apartments, at Sashabaw and Maybee Roads.
They were heading to McDonalds at 11:20 a.m., June 14, when they were approached by a man in his mid 20s, 6-foot-2-inches, Black or Hispanic, with scraggy beard, possibly a mustache, black dress shoes, black dress pants, and a black hoodie.
He said he had a gun and threatened to shoot them, and took a cell phone and cash. A witness saw the boys running away, called police, and tried unsuccessfully to find the suspect.A sheriff K-9 unit tracked the suspect but lost the scent in the parking lot in the southwest end of the apartment complex.
‘It’s an unusual thing, to rob two kids,? Baldes said. ‘We’re looking into a few leads.?
Call the substation at 248-620-4970 to report any information in connection with these cases.
? Phil Custodio