Two police officers now find themselves on the other side of the law, accused of armed robbery.
A 20-year Detroit police sergeant and a colleague from suburban Saint Clair Shores allegedly used their badges to rob and assault two customers at an east side Detroit gas station earlier this month.
The men pulled in a black pick-up truck equipped with sirens. Guns drawn and badges visible, they detained, searched and allegedly stole items, including cash, from the victims.
One of the victims was also pistol-whipped.
A bystander’s picture apparently helped Detroit Police crack the case. Chief James Craig says police were investigating the crime as a “police impersonation” case until they got that picture.
“It wasn’t until a photograph was sent to our agency, and someone recognized our sergeant,” Craig says. “We did not have any indication before that that it was actual police sergeants.”
Craig says the department is now looking into whether the two men could be tied to other recent so-called “police impersonation” cases.
But, “At this time, there is no evidence to support that both sergeants were involved in any other “police impersonation” cases,” Craig says.
Both men have been arrested and remain in custody. Criminal charges are pending, and could be announced as soon as Tuesday.
