A terrifying morning in Detroit left two children in critical condition and a family devastated right before the holidays.
Julius Coleman wasn’t even out of prison for a year when, police say, he held a family at gunpoint and set their house on fire.
He’s been on the run ever since and now is at the top of the Detroit’s Most Wanted list.
“One of the victims were held at gunpoint and was actually tied up with a cord,” Deputy U.S. Marshal Aaron Garcia said. “Couldn’t move, couldn’t do anything while their kids were caught in the crossfire in the middle of this whole thing.”
It was a parent’s nightmare.
“Horrific events that took place that day and right around the holiday time,” Garcia said.
Two men stormed an east side home in late November.
“These guys go in there and they do an armed robbery,” Garcia said. “There’s a mother and a father, two small children in this house.”
U.S. Marshals say Corey Robinson and Julius Coleman were behind it all, holding the family at gunpoint during what became a hostage situation in the early morning hours of November 29.
“These guys are cowards, to use small children as a human shield,” Garcia said.
When the negotiations failed, police say, Robinson and Coleman set the house on fire leaving the two and four-year-old children inside.
“They’re going to be tragically scared for the rest of their life,” Garcia said.
The kids went to the hospital in critical condition suffering from smoke inhalation while Detroit Police captured Robinson.
But in the chaos Julius Coleman managed to escape.
“We’re utilizing all our resources possible to try to put this guy behind bars,” Garcia said. “Coleman does have ties to Redford and the west side of Detroit.”
The children have since recovered as the Marshals move Coleman to the top of their list.
Julius Coleman is 5’10” 160 pounds.
“He’s not a flashy guy we don’t think he has a ton of resources, but he’s laying low enough to stay off the radar,” Garcia said.
As always the U.S. Marshals are offering a reward for any information leading to Coleman’s arrest.
You can call them anytime and remain anonymous at 313-234-5656.
