Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
On Friday September 6, the BestBank located at 3200 Carpenter Road in Pittsfield Township was robbed by a man who as of Sunday had not been apprehended. The suspect, who was said to be wearing a fake beard, handed a note to a teller which stated he was robbing the bank, and wanted money. The incident took place on Friday morning just after 10 a.m.
Pittsfield Township are asking for the public’s help in locating the man, who robbed the bank, located inside a Kroger store, of an undisclosed amount of cash. News reports indicate that the teller handed over a bag of money to the man, which included a red dye pack. The dye pack is said to have exploded on the suspect as he was getting into a vehicle described as an “older white vehicle.” Police say the dye pack may have burned the suspect’s hands, as it exploded leaving red dye all over the inside of the vehicle, as well as on the suspect.
Gordy Schick, Deputy Police Chief, said that at the time the bank robbery occurred there were many shoppers coming in and out of the Kroger store who may have witnessed the incident. He urged them to contact investigators with any tips. By the time police had arrived on the scene, the man had driven away.
The suspect is described as a black male between 5’4″ and 5’9″ in height, slender built, and wearing a fake beard at the time. He was dressed in blue jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt.
A news article at Annarbor.com indicates that during the robbery no weapon was seen or implied.
A conviction for bank robbery can leave the individual facing any number of years in prison and steep fines. While news reports indicate no weapon was implied, the penalties are still harsh as robbing a bank is a federal crime. Those who do use a weapon or even imply the presence of a weapon will face penalties which are more severe. In some cases, sentencing may include life in prison or even the death penalty. This is true when a kidnapping or killing takes place in the commission of the crime.
If you have been arrested or charged with robbing a bank, it is critical you seek the guidance and support of a skilled Michigan criminal defense attorney right away.