BIRMINGHAM (WWJ) — A Pontiac man is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly robbing and threatening to shoot an employee at a supermarket in Birmingham last weekend.
Joel Stalker, 35, was arraigned Monday on charges of armed robbery, felony firearm -pneumatic gun, and assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced Tuesday.
The charges stem from an alleged robbery at the Kroger store at the intersection of Woodward and Maple on Feb. 24.
Police got word around 9:45 p.m. Saturday that there was a man in the store with a gun and making threats.
Stalker allegedly threatened to shoot an employee and to shoot the police if they arrived, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Authorities say Stalker ran from the store but was found a short time later, in possession of an airsoft gun and merchandise stolen from the store.
He was ordered to show his hands as police tried to arrest him, but instead of complying, Stalker allegedly tried to assault the officers. He was ultimately taken into custody and remained at the Oakland County Jail, as of Tuesday afternoon.
The prosecutor’s office did not say what was taken from the store.
“An armed robbery is terrifying for the victims, and it erodes a sense of safety in the entire community,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, per a press release. “It also endangers the lives of the victims and responding officers. Public safety is the number one priority in my office, and we will hold those who commit these violent crimes accountable.”
Stalker’s bond was set at $100,000 cash/surety, no 10%. His next court date is scheduled for March 11. If convicted, he could spend up to life in prison or any term of years for the armed robbery charge.