Crime & Safety

Police: Serial Armed Robber Caught and Confessed to Crimes

Chesterfield Township police said Friday a 55-year-old man took responsibility for five Macomb County robberies, including one last week in the township.

Updated: 12:15 p.m. Friday, July 20, 2012.

A 55-year-old man, formerly of Chesterfield Township, has been arrested and confessed to four armed robberies and one attempted robbery in Macomb County, police said today.

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The man is slated for a video arraignment this afternoon in 41B District Court in Clinton Township. He is expected to be arraigned Monday in in New Baltimore for the armed robbery Saturday in Chesterfield, according to .

Police said he has confessed to the as well as four other crimes in the county. Earlier this week, township police said the suspect has been sought for the Monday . 

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Investigators say the man committed the crimes to get money for a drug addiction.

"He said that he got addicted to pain medication," Chesterfield Detective James Gates said.

The suspect will face four armed robbery charges for the incidents in Chesterfield and Utica as well as hold ups at Payless Shoesource on Groesbeck in Clinton Township and a Lakeside Mall perfume store in Sterling Heights. He also will be charged with attempted robbery at a Roseville dollar store, Clinton Township Detective Mike Friese said. 

Investigators tracked down the alleged robber after Utica and Chesterfield police received a tip. Witnesses in the Clinton Township robbery were able to positively identify him, Friese said.

"This guy wouldn't have been caught if it wasn't for all five of the jurisdictions working together," he said. 

If convicted, the suspect faces up to life imprisonment.

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