WARREN (WWJ) -- Police say they've identified and arrested an alleged "serial robber" who has been targeting 7-Eleven convenience stores in Warren and St. Clair Shores.
The 30-year-old Detroit man, who taken into custody by the Warren Police Department Special Operations Unit (SOU) near home on Tuesday, has been connected by investigators to two armed and one attempted armed robbery in May.
The investigation by Warren Police began on May 16, when a report came in about an armed robbery at 7-Eleven store in Warren.
Officers spoke with a store clerk who said a man walked in wearing a mask, partially concealing his face, and walked behind the front counter.
That's when the clerk said the masked man pulled out a handgun, opened the cash register and grabbed some cash before fleeing the scene.
Just five days later, on May 21, police said it's believed the same suspect hit a different 7-Eleven store in Warren. In that case, police said, the would-be robber walked behind the counter and demanded that the clerk open up the register.
When the clerk wasn't able to open the cash drawer, the suspect fled the scene on foot.
While investigating these two cases, the Warren Police learned that the St. Clair Shores Police Department was investigating an armed robbery of a 7-Eleven in that city, back on May 14.
Police did not release specific information about the targeted stores' locations.
Warren investigators canvassed for surveillance footage,
spoke with witnesses, and developed several leads on the suspect — eventually identified as Antonio Hall of Detroit — "using various law enforcement investigative techniques," the Warren PD said.
After Hall's arrest, police said a search of his home uncovered more evidence linking him to the robberies.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Hall with armed robbery, which caries a prison sentenced up to life, as well as attempted unarmed robbery, attempted robbery, and felony firearm.
Hall was arraigned in 37th District Court on Thursday and was ordered held on a $1 million bond.
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He was also ordered to surrender any and all firearms in his possession.
“I am grateful that the Prosecutor’s Office issued appropriate charges and pleased that the court issued a significant bond which helps ensure that Mr. Hall will stay behind bars pending his next court date," Dwyer said, in a statement.
Dwyer also thanked area residents who provided video, which helped police develop a suspect.
The commissioner added: "It was likely that Mr. Hall would have continued to commit other robberies if he was not quickly identified and arrested by the Warren Police Department. Violent crime is not tolerated by members of this Department. If you commit a violent crime, the Warren Police Department will work nonstop to arrest you and keep you off the streets of Warren.”
Police noted that Hall did not have an extensive criminal history up until this point
His next court date is set for June 15.
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