ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A 56-year-old man is facing federal charges after police connected him to 10 armed robberies across Southeast Michigan and one in northern Ohio over 28 days.
According to court documents, Willie Hopkins, 56, was arrested Aug. 8 in Pittsfield Township in connection with an armed robbery that occurred that day.
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Officers with the Pittsfield Township Police Department reportedly saw a black 2013 Chrysler 300 with tinted windows and sport rims that matched the vehicle seen at the Mobil Gas Station that was robbed earlier that day. Hopkins was pulled over and taken into custody. He reportedly told police his license was suspended and his car insurance was not current.
Background: Police arrest man suspected of armed robberies in Washtenaw County
Authorities said they connected him to 10 other armed robberies using his gun, car, clothing, visible tattoos and methods. He was also connected to an attempted armed robbery of a Dollar Convenience Store in Ypsilanti.
Authorities said all 11 incidents involved a small business robbed late at night by a man wearing similar clothes, including a surgical face mask and a beanie, and he would demand money from a cashier or clerk at gunpoint using what they believe is the same Glock.
Police said they seized his phone shortly after his arrest and found internet searches that included “what happens after a bank is robbed?” and “procedures after a robbery.” He had also reportedly sent a video to someone on July 12 that showed two bundles of cash hours after an armed robbery at a Mobil Gas Station in Ypsilanti.
Authorities said his phone had location data that revealed he was at the location of several of the armed robberies at the time they occurred.
Authorities said Hopkins is responsible for the following armed robberies:
- July 11: Mobil Gas Station, 1645 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti.
- July 12: Speedway Gas Station, 1935 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
- July 19: Speedway Gas Station, 2190 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
- July 19: Kroger Grocery Store, 1771 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
- July 26: Dollar General Convenience Store, 4719 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti
- July 28: Mobil Gas Station, 2955 Packard Road, Ann Arbor
- July 29: BP Gas Station, 3031 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor
- Aug. 1: Shell/BP Gas Station, 3240 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor
- Aug. 2: Speedway Gas Station, 6601 Monroe Street, Sylvania, Ohio
- Aug. 3: BP Gas Station, 602 Tecumseh Street, Dundee
- Aug. 8: Mobil Gas Station, 4005 Washtenaw Ave., Pittsfield Township
