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Suspect in Rite Aid Robbery Caught with Air Soft Pistol, Money
(Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Feb. 19, 2020)
Independence Township, MI – The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect in the armed robbery which occurred at the Rite Aid Pharmacy located at 5751 Clarkston Road in Independence Township on Sunday, February 16th, at 6:27pm. On Sunday, the suspect entered the pharmacy, selected an item to purchase, and proceeded to the register. When the clerk rang the suspect up, he handed her the money for the item. She gave him the change and he stated, “I’ll take the money.” The suspect lifted his coat and showed a bulge under his coat indicating he was armed. He then stated, “It’s only money.” The clerk handed the money from the register to him. The suspect exited the store and as he was leaving, he said, “I am sorry I have to do this.”
The Sheriff’s Office responded along with a K-9 Deputy, who attempted to track the suspect. However, the track was unsuccessful. Video was obtained and sent to the media for help to identify the suspect.
At 10am, on Monday, February 17th, Detectives from the Independence Substation made an arrest in the armed robbery as a result of a tip which was called in. Matthew Christopher Brusen, a 21-year-old resident of Independence Township, was taken into custody without incident. Detectives recovered the item purchased, an air soft pistol, the clothes worn during the robbery, and $433 of the $500 originally taken. The suspect had shaved off his facial hair prior to his arrest in an attempt to alter his image. The suspect was booked into the Oakland County Jail.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office issued one count of Robbery – Armed against Brusen which carries a penalty of life or any number of terms. On February 18th, he was arraigned in front of Magistrate Thomas Raguso at 52-2 District Court. He was given a $200,000 cash surety bond, no 10% and must wear a GPS Tether should bond be posted. Brusen’s next court date will be on February 28th at 8:35am in front of the Honorable Judge Kelley Kostin at 52-2 District Court.
Brusen has a criminal history which includes multiple drug misdemeanors, retail fraud, and breaking and entering.
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