St. Clair Shores Police Sgt. Taken Into Custody For Robbing Civilians, Police Say

A 17-year veteran of the St. Clair Shores Police Department and a Detroit police sergeant robbed two people in Detroit while they were off duty, Detroit Police Chief James Craig said Monday.

The unnamed St. Clair Shores police sergeant and unnamed Detroit police sergeant were off-duty July 21 when they drove up to a gas station in the 5600 block of French road in Detroit and approached two customers.

According to Craig, the officers were wearing department-issued badges around their necks and approached the customers with their guns drawn. According to police, they searched them and took money from one person, and a cell phone and wallet from the second person. That person was "physically assaulted" before the sergeants left the scene, police said.

Later that day, a report was filed for an armed robbery by police impersonators. On Friday, Detroit police received information and photographs of the incident from witnesses. Officers investigating the incident recognized the Detroit police sergeant and turned over the investigation to internal affairs. During the investigation, the St. Clair Shores sergeant was identified. 

Both sergeants were arrested Saturday by Detroit police. The Detroit police sergeant was suspended following his arrest. 
St. Clair Shores interim city manager Mike Smith said the St. Clair Shores officer is currently suspended without pay pending conclusion of the investigation.

"The actions of the department in this matter directly reflect our commitment to address misconduct at every level," said Detroit Police Chief James Craig. "The actions of the few should not detract form the thousands of diligent, hard working men and women who wear this uniform and serve city of Detroit."

Craig added that the St. Clair Shores sergeant started his police career with the Detroit Police Department and was a patrol officer in the 12th Precinct. He spent two-years with Detroit before leaving and moving to St. Clair Shores. He was in the same academy class as the Detroit sergeant.

The sergeant from the St. Clair Shores department was arrested at his home. He was released from custody Monday night.

St. Clair Shores is working with the Detroit Police Department, but is waiting to receive additional information from investigators and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office about the investigation.

"We are beginning our internal investigation into this," said St. Clair Shores Police Chief Michael Walleman, who added that the department's investigation has been based on information they have received from Detroit.

He added that he has been meeting with each shift, and all the bureaus, about the information he has received about the arrest.

"Everyone that wears the badge here wears it with pride and honor," Walleman said. "Anything that ever comes up that tarnishes that badge, and questions our honor, is very upsetting to any legitimate police officer."