Six arrested in Sterling Heights following jewelry store robberies

Six suspects are in custody following a string of jewelry store robberies at southeast Michigan malls.

The first known location that police believe the suspects targeted was the Helzberg Diamonds store inside the Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Auburn Hills Jan. 13. Investigators said three suspects wearing hoodies and surgical masks entered the store, smashed out cases and stole several thousand dollars worth of jewelry.

A suspect vehicle was identified that was registered to a rental company. Subsequently, the renter also was identified. A short time later, that vehicle was returned to a Lansing rental location, and a new vehicle was rented.

On Jan. 22, the Kay Jewelers inside Lansing Mall reported a smash and grab. The Eaton County Sheriff’s Department determined the getaway vehicle from the theft was the newly rented vehicle identified following the Jan. 13 incident. Eaton County Sheriff’s Department officials believe this same group was responsible for a total of six robberies in Michigan and Ohio.

Law enforcement officers located the suspect’s rental vehicle and initiated surveillance. The vehicle traveled to Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights, at which point Sterling Heights police, Shelby Township police, and Troy police personnel were dispatched to the scene.

The vehicle was seen circling the mall’s parking lot alongside another vehicle that had been stolen in Harper Woods Jan. 16. At approximately 2 p.m., four suspects got out of the rental vehicle and went inside the mall wearing hoodies and surgical masks. Police said the suspects were observed scouting the mall and then entered the Sparkles Jewelry Store and smashing out several cases of merchandise.

The four suspects then fled on foot in various directions carrying a large amount of jewelry taken from the store, according to police. Officers moved in and apprehended the four suspects, as well as two others in the vehicles outside. Officers recovered approximately $170,000 worth of merchandise.

“The Troy Police Department credits the exceptional effort of the Troy Special Investigations Unit for this complex investigation and arrests,” the Troy police said in a press release. “The Special Investigations Unit is comprised of officers from the Auburn Hills Police Department, Birmingham Police Department, Bloomfield Township Police Department, Royal Oak Police Department, and Troy Police Department. These investigators work together in a collaborative, multi-jurisdictional unit that investigates criminal activity impacting the region. We would also like to recognize the collaborative efforts of the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office, the Sterling Heights Community Response Unit and the Shelby Township Police Surveillance Unit.”

The suspects were identified as Courtez Eugene Lawrence, of Warren, 27, who was charged with one count of armed robbery; Deshawn Hammonds, of Detroit, 20, who was charged with one count of armed robbery; Jasmine Latricia Oneal, of Detroit, 29, who was charged with one count of armed robbery; Eric Lamar Lambert-Bennett, of Detroit, 27, who was charged with one count of armed robbery; Desean Shakari Hall, of Eastpointe, 31, who was charged with one count of armed robbery; Andre Demond Jackson, of Detroit, 21, who was charged with one count of unarmed robbery and one count of resisting and obstructing.

Bond was set at $300,000 cash or surety for Lawrence, $100,000 cash or surety for Hammonds, $100,000 cash or surety for Oneal, $300,000 cash or surety for Lambert-Bennett, $100,000 cash or surety for Hall, and $300,000 cash or surety for Jackson.

The charges were issued in 41-A District Court in Sterling Heights, but Troy police said additional charges may be pending in other districts. 

Their next court dates are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, in 41-A District Court.

None of the suspects had retained or been appointed an attorney prior to press time.