I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked (that they were arrested).

July 29, 2013 at 7:10 pm

Two police officers accused in Detroit robbery, assault

• George Hunter
• The Detroit News
• Comments

Chief Craig on arrests of two sergeants: Two off duty police officers - one from Detroit, one from St. Clair Shores - were detained in connection with a robbery.

Detroit— A photograph snapped by a citizen and distributed to the media led to the arrest of two police officers who allegedly robbed and assaulted two people last week, Detroit Police Chief James Craig said Monday.

The two men — one a sergeant and 20-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department; the other with the same rank in St. Clair Shores — allegedly wore their badges around their necks and drew their department-issued pistols when they robbed two men at an east side gas station on July 21, according to police. One of the victims was assaulted, Craig said.

Both victims are in their early 20s.

“It wasn’t until a photograph was sent to the media that someone investigating the case recognized him as a Detroit Police employee,” Craig said.

Further investigation revealed the Detroit officer’s alleged partner was a St. Clair Shores sergeant who attended the Police Academy with him before leaving Detroit’s police force after two years, said Inspector Brian Stair, head of Detroit Police Internal Affairs.

Wayne County prosecutors have received a warrant request for the officers. Craig said they’re likely to be charged with robbery and assault in the next few days.

The Detroit sergeant was arrested Saturday while working at the 12th Precinct. His alleged accomplice also was arrested Saturday at his home.

The crime happened around 4:45 p.m. at a Citgo gas station on French Road. The two cops drove to the station together in a private vehicle, approached the victims with their guns drawn and badges hanging from their necks, Craig said.

“It’s alleged they stole money and a cellphone,” Craig said. Stair added that one of the victims was struck with one of the officers’ guns, although his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

“The Good Samaritan who took those photographs saw that something wasn’t right,” Craig said.

A spokeswoman for the St. Clair Shores Police Department said the department is aware of the ongoing investigation but provided no further information.

Although there were at least two reported instances of fake cops robbing citizens recently, there’s no evidence linking the two sergeants with any other robberies, Craig said. He added that police are investigating whether the pair may have been involved in other heists.

“It’s no secret we’ve had other incidents involving police impersonators, so we’re taking a close look at that,” the chief said.

Craig pointed out that, because the two officers are not suspected in the other reported robbery involving fake cops, there are others who are impersonating police officers and robbing citizens.

“We should be diligent in making sure when we’re stopped, it’s by police officers,” Craig said.

Craig said “99.9 percent” of Detroit’s officers are honest and hard-working and “when a member of this organization disgraces the badge, we take it personally.”

ghunter@detroitnews.com
(313) 222-2134