FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – A woman and her nephew got furniture delivery workers to return to her Oakland County home so they could rob them at gunpoint, police said.
Furniture delivery men robbed
Two people who work for a furniture delivery company dropped off some furniture the morning of Aug. 31, 2024, in the 30200 block of Summit Drive in Farmington Hills.
Latonya Hixon, the homeowner, called the company to complain that the furniture wasn’t put together correctly, officials said. She asked for the delivery drivers to return to her home.
Police said this was simply a ploy to get the men to come back because she thought the workers had stolen her marijuana.
The workers returned to her home between 3 and 4 p.m. When they got inside, Hixon grabbed a gun and accused them of stealing her marijuana, officials said.
Hixon and Omar Witherspoon -- who is described as Hixon’s nephew by police -- held the workers at gunpoint and robbed them of their paychecks, which were worth about $1,700 total, officials said.
Hixon charged
Hixon and Witherspoon released the workers, who went to the Farmington Hills Police Department with their supervisors at 7:35 p.m. to report what had happened, authorities said.
Hixon admitted to having a gun and confronting the workers about stealing her marijuana. She refused to identify the other person involved, only calling him “Omar,” police said.
When they searched the home, officers said they found a gun, ammunition, phones, and cash.
Hixon was taken into custody and charged with armed robbery, felony assault, and a felony firearm violation. Two counts of unlawful imprisonment were later added to her charges.
She was arraigned Sept. 4 and given a $25,000 bond.
Witherspoon charged
Police searched Hixon’s cellphone and learned of Witherspoon’s identity. They said they found video that showed the two of them robbing the workers.
Officials said Hixon and Witherspoon held the workers in the apartment against their will and threatened to kill them.
Witherspoon, 24, is charged with armed robbery and two counts of unlawful imprisonment.
He was arrested Sept. 7 and arraigned Monday. He’s being held at the Oakland County Jail on a $250,000 bond, or 10%.
