Police Pull Teen from Dumpster, Arrest Him for Armed Robbery in Chesterfield

An 18-year-old Mount Clemens man is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly robbing a Warren man at gunpoint Sunday near the in Chesterfield.

Alontez Willis was arraigned in 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore Monday on charges of armed robbery, a life felony; felony firearm, a two-year mandatory felony; and possession of a stolen firearm, a 10-year felony. His bond was set at $200,000 cash.

On Oct. 28, just after 8 a.m., Chesterfield Township police responded to Bed, Bath and Beyond at 50551 Waterside where a 19-year-old Warren man reported he had been robbed while walking to work.

The victim told police another man had followed him off the bus at 23 Mile and Gratiot and as he neared the Bed, Bath and Beyond, tapped him on the shoulder to ask for a cigarette. After giving him the cigarette, the suspect pulled a silver handgun out of his pocket and held it to the victim's temple, ordering him to empty his pockets onto the ground, police say.

The victim said he did not try to resist and did as ordered. The suspect then fled with the victim's wallet and cell phone toward the front of the nearby Kohl's where the victim lost sight of him, according to police.

Chesterfield Officer Duane VanAcker saw the suspect come out of a row of bushes in front of the Schaller Corporation on Gratiot, where he attempted to hail a southbound Gratiot bus. The suspect fled from VanAcker, who ordered fellow officers to set up a perimeter to box him in. 

Officer Tim Kelly found the suspect hiding in a dumpster near the rear of 49660 S. Leona and arrested him, according to police.

Police say Willis was carrying a loaded .22 caliber revolver and the victim's cell phone at the time of his arrest. The victim's wallet was later recovered.