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Detroit, St. Clair Shores police sergeants accused in gas station robbery, assault | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
Two police sergeants — from the Detroit and St. Clair Shores police departments — are being investigated in connection with an alleged robbery in Detroit this month.
Detroit Police Chief James Craig said at a news conference today that the men, both veterans of their respective departments, are accused of drawing their guns on two citizens at a gas station on Detroit's east side, robbing them and assaulting one.
Both officers were arrested and an investigation is under way by the Detroit Police's internal affairs section, Craig said.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced it has received a warrant request for both officers and the request is being reviewed, but a charging decision is not expected today.
The names of the officers have not been released.
Craig would not go into details about a motive, but said the incident happened at about 4:45 p.m. July 21 at a gas station on French Road. He said the officers allegedly pulled up to the station in a vehicle and wearing plain clothes, with their badges around their necks.
Craig said the officers are accused of getting out of the vehicle with their guns drawn, detaining two citizens, stealing money from one and a cell phone and wallet from the other and then physically assaulting one of the individuals.
Police said one of the citizens was struck with a handgun.
Craig said a citizen took a photograph of the incident. Someone recognized one of the men as being a Detroit police sergeant, who is a 20-year veteran of the force, he said.
Through a photo line-up, the other man was identified and turned out to be a 17-year veteran with St. Clair Shores police. He had previously worked for the Detroit Police Department for two years, police said.
Both officers were arrested Saturday, police said.
The Detroit police sergeant was assigned to the 12th Precinct, police said.
St. Clair Shores Police released a statement today, saying officials there were aware of the allegation.
"This is part of an ongoing investigation and we are still receiving information," the statement said. "Discussing the matter now would be premature."
Craig said the incident has not been connected to other reported incidents of cases involving people posing as police officers.
"At this time there is no evidence to support that both sergeants were involved in any other police impersonation cases that have been reported in recent weeks," Craig said.
He said the department is committed to addressing alleged misconduct by officers.
"The actions of a few should not detract from the thousands of diligent hard-working men and women who wear this uniform and serve the City of Detroit," Craig said.
