Community Corner
Police Arrest Suspects In T-Mobile Unarmed Robbery
Two men were charged Friday in 40th District Court for the unarmed robbery of the T-Mobile store on 9 Mile.
Two of three men police believe were involved in an unarmed robbery of the T-Mobile store on 9 Mile were arraigned Friday in 40th District Court.
The men, Thomas James Williams, 22, and Timmy Washington, 17, were involved in a string of robberies of cellular stores in Macomb County and Detroit which were being investigated by multiple agencies, according to police.
The pair was arrested and in custody in the Macomb County Jail after police say they ripped iPads from a story display in Macomb Township on July 21 and fled the store. A store employee pursued the getaway vehicle and helped the Macomb County Sheriff's Office locate and arrest the men.
Following the arrest, St. Clair Shores police investigators were able to link the men to the T-Mobile robbery, and brought charges against Washington and Williams.
Both men stood mute during their arraignment, and declined to comment when asked by Judge Joseph Oster if they had anything to say prior to setting bond.
Tara Washington, Tim’s aunt, said that her brother had died a year ago.
“I just want to see him get his life together,” said Washington, who added that her nephew is “hanging with the wrong people.”
Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoreswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“He is 17-years-old and making dumb decisions in life,” Washington said.
The robbery the men were charged with occurred about 7:35 p.m. June 28 when three males entered into the T-Mobile store. According to a police report, store employees recognized them as the men who stole cell phones on June 27 at a store in Detroit.The men split up and acted as if they were talking on their cellphones, the report said. One of the suspects then said “forget this we’re out,” and the men grabbed display cellular phones ripping them from their security cords, according to police.
The report says they stole two iPhone 5s, and a Samsung cellphone, while trying to flee from the store. They ran into the glass door causing it break. An employee also attempted to stop the men and was thrown to the floor by the suspects, but was not seriously injured.
T-Mobile security reported that at 6:30 p.m. on July 9 the same three suspects, along with a fourth individual, committed a similar theft at the T-Mobile store on Livernois in Detroit.
The men are believed to be responsible for similar thefts of cellphones at the Gratiot and Harper store in Detroit and in Warren.
Both men were arraigned on charges including unarmed robbery, conspiracy to commit unarmed robbery and malicious destruction of property. They are being held on $100,000 bond. They will be back in court Aug. 13 for a pre-exam conference.
Police are seeking the third person.
Correction: The story incorrectly stated that the men were arrested for armed robbery in earlier editions.
Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoreswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
