Madison Heights

Armed robber strikes Red Robin

By Andy Kozlowski
C & G Staff Writer

Police are searching for a man who held up employees of a local restaurant at gunpoint and fled the scene after stealing the contents of the safe.

The incident happened at the Red Robin located at 31805 John R, around 9:15 a.m. on Jan. 30.

The suspect is described as a black male, distinctive for black hair with hints of gray. Witnesses described him as a thin, in his late 50s, about 6 feet tall and weighing around 180 pounds. He was reportedly wearing black jeans and a green fatigue-style coat.

Police say the suspect entered the restaurant and immediately approached an employee in the bar area, and pointed a small black handgun at the worker. Holding her at gunpoint, he escorted her to the manager’s office, where two other employees were working at the time.

The suspect’s demeanor was described as short and to the point. He demanded that the three employees cooperate, which they did. Madison Heights Police Lt. Corey Haines said the employees handled themselves well and made the right move.

One employee tried to open the safe but was unsuccessful. The suspect then had another employee try, while the other two employees remained seated. After gaining access to the safe and removing an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect ordered the employees to not move for a few minutes.

He then fled the scene in a car resembling an older, maroon Ford Taurus.

While the victims were visibly shaken by the incident, police said, no one was physically harmed.

“Detectives are interviewing the victims/witnesses, and have put out an alert to all area departments describing how this crime occurred, the suspect involved and the possible suspect vehicle,” Haines said in an email.

“With the state of the economy, people are definitely becoming more desperate and committing more violent crimes to obtain money.”

Anyone with tips leading to the suspect’s arrest can call the Madison Heights Police Department at (248) 585-2100, or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) SPEAKUP.
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You can reach C & G Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at akozlowski@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1104.