(WXYZ) — There were at least five armed robberies at fast food locations in Metro Detroit, all within the past two weeks.
The latest happened at the Tim Horton’s on Gratiot Avenue in Roseville. One of the victim’s says she is traumatized from the incident.
Investigators are now trying to see if the string of robberies are related.
Roseville Deputy Police Chief Donald Glandon said, “A violent act. They did bring a handgun to the situation.”
Roseville Police say two armed robbers barged into the Tim Horton’s Sunday evening around 8:45pm, one with a gun the other carrying a plastic bag, demanding cash.
We talked with one of the victims who told us the robbers put the gun in their face, pinning the other employee against the wall. The employee we spoke with was able to run and hide in a restroom, while the other employee was ordered to get into the freezer.
The two suspects got away with an unknown amount of cash.
“When these individuals are identified, I would be surprised it would be the first time they’ve done something like this.
There have been at least five armed robberies at restaurants in our area this month.
On December 15th around 10am, police say a man said he had a gun and robbed the Taco Bell in Livonia on Merriman Road. Police say he got away in a maroon colored SUV.
On the Saturday before Christmas, we’re told armed robbers held up this Taco Bell on Sashabaw Road in Independence Township around 7 am.
The Oakland County Sherrif’s Office is waiting on surveillance video, but tell us the robbers used a a dark SUV as the get away car.
On the morning of Christmas Eve around 7 am thieves targeted another Taco Bell in Milford on General Motors Road.
Milford Police said two robbers said they had guns and took $200 cash. One of them wore a bright blue backpack and police say they got away in a dark colored SUV.
On December 27, two men, one with a similar looking backpack, attempted to rob the Burger King on Opdyke Road in Auburn Hills. We’re told they demanded money, implying they had a gun, but this time employees refused and called police. Detectives say the two suspects ran out empty handed and got away in a burgundy SUV.
Now, Roseville Police are waiting to receive the surveillance video from Tim Horton’s. They say it’s not clear if this incident is connected to the others.
What makes it different? The suspects targeted the location at night, not in the morning. The two robbers ran away because witnesses did not see them get into a car and a gun was shown, not just implied.
“It’s bad enough they came in and rob people, if that was just it. But they also came in with a firearm, so you always have the potential if something were to go wrong of someone being seriously injured or or someone losing their life,” said Roseville Deputy Police Chief Donald Glandon.
If you have any information on these incidents please call police.
Livonia Police:
Detective J. Marx
734-466-2330
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office:
248-858-5000
Milford Police:
Lt. Matthew Brumm
248-684-1815
Auburn Hills Police:
248-370-9460
Roseville Police:
586-775-2100
