MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – A man who wore a pumpkin mask to steal a woman's car in Madison Heights on Thursday is suspected of wearing a clown mask to rob the Extended Stay hotel at 32690 Stephenson Highway.
UPDATE: FBI identifies man in string of clown-related crimes across Metro Detroit
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Police said a man wearing a clown mask walked into the Extended Stay hotel at 6:20 a.m. Thursday armed with a handgun. The man forced the hotel night clerk to give him money from the cash drawer before fleeing in an unknown direction, police said
Officials said the clown robber matches the description of a carjacker who stole a woman's Lexus in the 27700 block of Dequindre Road in Madison Heights. The man in that incident was also armed with a handgun, but was wearing a mask that looked like a pumpkin, police said.
A 44-year-old woman was sitting in the driver's seat of the Lexus when the man walked up with the handgun and took her car and purse.
The man fled in the Lexus, heading south on Dequindre Road, police said. The Lexus was last seen in Ohio and still has not been recovered.
The man is also believed to be connected to robberies in Brownstown Township and Livonia. Madison Heights police investigators, Oakland County Sheriff's auto theft investigators and the FBI are involved in the investigation.
Anyone with information on the incidents or who has seen the Lexus is asked to call Madison Heights police at 248-585-2100.
You can read more about the other incidents connected to this case below.
Armed clown robs Walgreens in Brownstown Township
A person wearing a clown mask and armed with a pistol robbed a Walgreens Tuesday night in Brownstown Township.
The robbery happened at about 9:30 p.m. at the Walgreens on Telegraph Road, according to Brownstown police.
The clown entered the store and raised the gun up, robbing the clerk and fleeing in an SUV.
The clown was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and a mask.
Police also say the clown pointed his gun at two customers on the way out, telling them to get back in their cars.
The armed robbery happened just hours after a boy in Sterling Heights was attacked by a man dressed as a clown and two women were frightened by an alley of clowns with baseball bats.
Over the weekend, a clown was spotted waving at cars in Clinton Township which had residents on edge.
Embassy Suits in Livonia robbed by man wearing clown mask
Police are investigating an armed robbery at a hotel Thursday morning in Livonia involving a person wearing a clown mask.
The armed robbery happened at the Embassy Suites on Victor Parkway at 7:12 a.m.
A man in a clown mask entered the lobby and robbed guests, taking a purse and wallet. The hotel was also robbed.
The gunman was described as black and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, gray sweatpants and a clown mask. It is believed he was using a blue car to flee the scene.
Authorities said the robbery and description matches similar incidents across Metro Detroit. Livonia police is contacting other departments to coordinate an investigation.
Embassy Suites released the following statement:
"Earlier today, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Detroit Livonia Novi was among local businesses recently targeted in robberies involving clown-masked perpetrators. The hotel staff and leadership team immediately implemented proper protocols to ensure guest and staff safety and is fully cooperating in police investigations following the robbery. We are unable to provide any further details regarding the investigation. Hotel safety is of upmost priority for our hotel brand, ownership and management and in the wake of this event, our team will continue to take all steps necessary to ensure we are providing our guests and hotel staff with the safest environment possible."
No other information is available.
A Walgreens in Brownstown Township was robbed by an armed clown Tuesday night. Hours later, a boy in Sterling Heights was attacked by man dressed as a clown and two women were frightened by an alley of clowns with baseball bats.
Two robberies involving people wearing clown masks also occurred Tuesday night in Ann Arbor. A BP gas station and a Dominos Pizza were robbed and police believe the incidents are connected.