In a recent spate of audacious robberies, the FBI is on the hunt for information regarding masked suspects who have allegedly targeted four jewelry stores, one of which is located in Dearborn.
The suspects, armed with an AR-style rifle, a handgun, and a hammer, have reportedly struck stores in Illinois, Missouri, and Michigan, according to the FBI's Chicago field office.
As reported by American Military News, the suspects were seen wearing costume face masks in surveillance video footage released by the FBI, which captured three of the robberies. The footage from August 7th reveals a suspect, donning a mask reminiscent of Michael Meyers, using an AR-style rifle to shatter the entrance door of Mariam Jewelry, a Dearborn-based store located at 7012 Schaefer. Another masked suspect, sporting sunglasses and gloves, is seen menacing two victims with a hammer.
The first suspect brandishes the firearm at the victims, who quickly flee the scene, while the suspects make their escape in a car parked conveniently outside the store. The robbers reportedly made off with jewelry from the store's display cases, fleeing in a black vehicle devoid of license plates, as stated in the FBI's press release.
The FBI has also unveiled video footage of three other related armed robberies that took place in Bridgeview, Illinois, on July 13, 2023, and January 9, 2024. Douglas DePodesta, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Division of the FBI, implored the public to scrutinize the footage and provide any useful tips. "The perpetrators of these crimes showed a blatant disregard for public safety and the rule of law during the commission of these brazen robberies," DePodesta said. "Their actions will haunt these victims for a lifetime, and were asking for the publics help to bring them to justice before someone is killed.
In an effort to expedite the arrest and conviction of the suspects, the FBI is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for any information that leads to their capture. The agency has urged anyone with information to contact them at 1-800-225-5324 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
Kwame Raoul, the Attorney General for the State of Illinois, echoed this sentiment in the release, stating, Do not let the costume masks distract from the seriousness of these robberies. The individuals who committed these robberies terrorized and endangered the safety of customers and employees alike. I urge anyone who has information about these crimes to contact law enforcement without further delay.
In a separate case that has garnered significant attention in Metro Detroit, a Dearborn man was incarcerated on October 18 after being charged with the murder of a Hamtramck jewelry store owner. The suspect allegedly posed as a utility worker to gain access to the victim's home. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard believes the victim was targeted due to his business.
In another incident, Novi police are investigating a September 7 jewelry theft at Gold Buy and Jewelry Pawn Loans, where approximately $10,000 worth of goods were stolen. Two suspects reportedly left the store with the stolen items while two others distracted an employee.
According to the 2022 Michigan Incident Crime Reporting (MICR) Annual Report, Michigan law enforcement agencies reported 3,265 robberies in 2022, marking a decrease of 9.3% from 2021 and a significant drop of 35.3% since 2018. However, retail fraud theft incidents were reported at a staggering 23,603 in 2022. The report also revealed that law enforcement resolved 24% of reported robbery cases and 12.1% of the total 104,416 larceny cases that year with an arrest or prosecution.
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