Chesterfield Police Say Dry Cleaners Robber Also Struck in Utica

An armed robber who appears to be the same man who Saturday, according to township police.

“It appears that it is very likely the suspects are one in the same," Chesterfield Detective Sgt. Deron Myers said Tuesday.

Investigators from both departments compared notes on the robberies and concluded it's highly plausible the suspect is responsible for both crimes.

Utica police also said the man is suspected of similar crimes in Sterling Heights and Roseville.

Dollar store robbery

Utica police said the man entered the at 13477 Hall Road around 4 p.m. Monday. Just before approaching the teller, the man covered his face with a handkerchief and then pointed a black pistol at the cashier while he demanded cash.

The thief was able to get away with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.

Witnesses reported seeing an older red vehicle--possibly a Ford Escort--fleeing the scene. Dollar Tree employees said the man was wearing a red baseball cap, plaid shirt, khaki shorts and sunglasses.

Dry cleaners hold up

At approximately 3:40 p.m. Saturday, the man walked into on Gratiot near 21 Mile while talking on his cell phone. As the sole employee inside the business approached the counter, the robber covered his face with a bandanna, showed a handgun and demanded all the money, police said.

After the employee gave the man money from the register, the suspect ran south across the parking lot. The employee lost sight of him when fleeing to a nearby business to call 911.

Chesterfield Township police officers and a Macomb County Sheriff's Office K-9 unit responded to the scene but were unable to find the suspect.

Township police have described the suspect as white, in his late 30s or early 40s, wearing a black baseball cap, red bandanna over his face, brown T-shirt, khaki shorts and brandishing a dark-colored handgun.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.