Police Report: Armed Robbery Ends in Chase, Injuries & Arrests
(Crystal A. Proxmire, 7/11/2011)
Lt. William Wilson of the Ferndale Police gave initial news of an armed robbery and subsequent chase that occurred at approximately 7pm on Monday, July 11, 2011. Wilson said that 2-3 men entered the Ferndale Pharmacy at 825 W. 9 Mile with at least one gun. He said that no shots were fired inside the store, but that one victim sustained minor injuries. “We can’t release all the details yet, and we’re still trying to sort everything out, but this was a violently done crime,” he said. In a later statement Wilson revealed that victims were pistol-whipped and that one shot did go off, with fragments from the bullet injuring a victim. The entire statement is below.
Wilson stated that police arrived as two men exited the store and took off on foot. A third suspect drove off in a Honda down Livernois towards Detroit. Ferndale Police chased the fleeing vehicle. A female bystander was hit by the fleeing vehicle near Livernois and Stopel in Detroit, and was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Wilson also said that an officer fired at the vehicle in order to disable it, with clear intent not to hit the driver. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle and the suspect fled on foot. Police captured him and the suspect is being treated in a nearby hospital for minor injuries. The other two suspects were arrested by officers after a foot chase.
“One thing I have to say is that we got there quick, but that officers from the surrounding cities also were right there to help. Oak Park, Royal Oak, Hazel Park and Detroit were right there,” Wilson said. “When I came in and everyone was at the station, bringing in suspects and making their reports, it was just a sea of blue. That kind of support from our neighbors feels good.”
Wilson is expected to send an official press release tomorrow afternoon, and any additional information will be added to this post.
For other crime stories, see our Police Report section.
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Statement from Lt. Wilson:
Last night (July 11, 2011) at about 7:15 p.m. two armed gunmen entered Ferndale Pharmacy located at 825 W. 9 Mile and robbed several in the store. One of the victims had the foresight to dial 911 and leave an open line before she was grabbed by the criminals. Police were able to listen to the crime unfold over the telephone. Officers responded and were outside of the building when the culprits attempted to escape.
Victims were tormented at gunpoint, tied up and pistol whipped. One shot was fired, and a victim received minor injury from the ricocheted bullet fragments.
The getaway driver fled the scene in a Honda Odesy and was pursued at high speeds into Detroit. He crashed near Livernois and Stoepel and fled on foot. Officers caught him in the yard of a house in the area. One of the robbers was caught near the store, the other fled into backyards and was tracked down and arrested by officers.
One of the three suspects is currently on parole. His criminal past includes a conviction for Murder 2nd degree.
During the incident, Ferndale police received assistance from other police departments: Oak Park, Hazel Park, Royal Oak, and Detroit.
This case is still under investigation and will be presented to the prosecutor’s office, but that may not occur until tomorrow.
Due to the fact that this case is still being investigated and processed, and we currently have a heavy work load, there will be no more media statements until after warrants are issued. Sorry for the inconvenience, but we are swamped with work here. I will give more information as soon as possible – likely tomorrow.