STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – A string of smash-and-grab robberies across Michigan and Ohio has come to an end after the thieves were reportedly caught red-handed in Macomb County.
According to authorities, the group was responsible for the Jan. 13 robbery at Helzberg Diamonds inside Great Lakes Crossing and they struck nine days later at a Kay Jewelers inside the Lansing Mall. The group reportedly was aiming to hit the Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights on Jan. 24, but a task force involving five different police departments had been monitoring them and allegedly tracked a rented getaway vehicle from Lansing.
When that vehicle met up with another vehicle and began circling Lakeside Mall, the police were not far behind. Police said four men entered the mall and smashed cases at Sparkles Jewelry, but when they came out, law enforcement was waiting for them.
Courtez Eugene Lawrence, Deshawn Hammonds, Jasmine Latricia Oneal, Eric Lamar Lambert Bennett, Desean Shakari Hall and Andre Demond Jackson were taken into custody on suspicion of armed robbery.
Roughly $170,000 worth of merchandise was recovered that day.
Police believe the group is responsible for six robberies in Michigan and Ohio.
INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THE GROUP PICTURED HERE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR *SIX* ROBBERIES IN MICHIGAN AND OHIO.
