Dearborn Police Say They’ve Busted 3 Crime Teams

DEARBORN, MI — Police in Dearborn say they have arrested three crime teams accused in bank robberies, a bar shooting and a rash of home burglaries across Metro Detroit.

A break in the investigation of a rash of area home burglaries in Dearborn and surrounding communities came Wednesday, Sept. 14, around 11:45 a.m. when police were called to a home on the 2000 block of Gulley Road when the residents came home to find their home had been broken into.

Witnesses saw two suspects driving away in an older model silver Jaguar. During the investigation, police tied the suspects to burglaries not only in Dearborn, but also Eastpointe, Harper Woods, Trenton and other communities.

Police say they’re working with area communities to return several pieces of property that were recovered to their rightful owners.

“My officers did an excellent job which resulted in an arrest of two men that had been victimizing metropolitan Detroit for several months,” Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said in a news release.

Arrested were Gary Saunders, 37, of River Rouge, and Antonio Barry, 35, of Harper Woods. Each was charged by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office with second-degree home home invasion and fourth-degree habitual offender status.

Judge Mark Somers set bond at $500,000 cash for each, and a GPS tether is a condition of their release. A probable cause conference was set for 9 a.m. on Sept. 30, and their pre-exam date of 9 a.m. on Oct. 7 was also set.

Armed Bank Robbery

At 11:40 a.m. on Sept. 16, two days after the home invasion arrests, police were called to Huntington Bank, 22290 Michigan Ave., for a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred. A male suspect armed with a handgun demanded money from employees and fled on foot after receiving an undisclosed amount of cash.

Responding officers observed a suspicious vehicle leaving the area, similar to a vehicle suspected in other area armed robberies, and stopped the vehicle which was occupied by two males who remained outside the bank while their alleged accomplice committed the actual robbery.

Additional officers in the area observed the suspect accused of committing the robbery, fleeing the scene on foot and he was immediately taken into custody without incident.

“Due to observant officers and their quick response these dangerous suspects were taken off of the street without injuries to anyone involved,” Haddad said in a news release. “It is believed that this group is linked to a regional crime ring that has committed numerous offenses of this nature. am thankful this came to a peaceful resolution with no injuries to the public or anyone involved.”

On Tuesday, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office authorized charges of against Desmine Harrison, 32, and Jujuan Ashton, 17, both of Detroit. A 14-year-old Detroit resident who was present during the robbery was released pending further investigation.

Harrison was charged with bank robbery and felony firearm, and Ashton was charged with bank robbery and for third-offense habitual offender.

During their arraignment in 19th District Court, Somers set bond at $500,000 cash each, and set their probable cause hearing at 9 a.m. Friday and their preliminary exam conference for Sept. 30.

Gunshots in Crowd Near Bar

Two more arrests were made on Saturday, Sept. 16, when officers responded to a report of a gunshot in the vicinity of NarBar, located at 21918 Michigan Ave.

Officers observed a subject shooting into a crowd of people. Victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment. They were later released.

Two suspects fled the scene in a vehicle and officers pursued them, subsequently arresting both in the area of Michigan Avenue and Gulley Road after a brief foot chase.

Arrested were Allante Percy, 24, and Mario Amison, 29, both of Ypsilanti.

Both were arraigned on multiple firearms charges in 19th District Court, where Somers set their bond at $1 million each, with the condition that they wear GPS tethers if released.

Each is charged with three counts of assault to commit murder, carrying a concealed weapon, felony firearm and fourth offense habitual offender. Percy also faces a charge of fleeing and eluding, and Amison is a parole absconder for violent crimes in Washtenaw County, according to the release.

Their probable cause conference is 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and their preliminary exam is set for 9 a.m. on Oct. 7.

“This blatant disregard for human life and the safety of innocent people will not be tolerated within the city of Dearborn,” Haddad said. “ We will continue to use every necessary resource to prevent incidents like this from occurring, but also to ensure those responsible are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“I would like to acknowledge the brave men and women of the Dearborn Police Department who risk their lives on a daily basis to ensure the safety and welfare of our citizens and visitors,” he added.

Featured photos: Some of the items recovered in a rash of home burglaries, via Dearborn Police