Alleged Robbery Mastermind Reportedly Knew Combinations to Safes in Attorney’s Home

The alleged mastermind of botched robbery at the home of a prominent Bloomfield Hills attorney knew where safes were located and their combinations, one of four people charged in the crime testified in court Wednesday.

Defendant Christopher Hernandez-Montiel, 20, of Sterling Heights, testified against his co-defendants – Cassandra Lynne Chobod, 22, and Devon Miller, 21, also of Sterling Heights, and Henry Williams, 20, of Clinton Township – during a preliminary exam in Oakland County Circuit Court, WDIV-TV, Channel 4, reports.

The defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit home invasion and firearms offenses. Miller, the alleged shooter, is also charged with assault with intent to commit murder.

Hernandez-Montiel, 20, who waived his preliminary exam at the start of proceedings before 48th District Judge Kimberly Small, was one of the first witnesses to be called by Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey Hall, The Detroit News reports.

Hernandez-Montiel said Chobod, the alleged mastermind, had been in the home of the victim, attorney David N. Zacks, after having met him at an adult club where she was a dancer. Zacks wasn’t expected to be home on the night of April 30 when the group planned to rob the home, but when they discovered he was, they returned to Detroit to pick up a gun, Hernandez-Montiel testified.

He said he played only a minor role in the crime and expected to be paid $200 to be the driver, but in the end was only paid $20 for gas.

Hernandez-Montiel named co-defendant Miller as the triggerman who fired several shots through the front door when Zacks refused to open it. Miller reportedly tried to gain entry by pretending he was a police officer.

All four defendants were ordered to stand trial.

Zacks, 57, is reportedly still recovering from his injuries at an area hospital.