Two charged for alleged armed robbery at marijuana facility

WARREN — Two men are facing changes after an alleged armed robbery at a commercial marijuana facility near Sherwood Avenue and Frazho Road earlier this month.

Michael Graham, 48, of Eastpointe, and Lavall Perkins, 63, of Detroit, were arraigned June 12 in 37th District Court. They were charged with assault with intent to murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. If convicted, the charges are punishable by up to life in prison. They also now face felony weapons charges.

The alleged robbery took place on June 9. The suspects reportedly arrived at a commercial marijuana facility in Warren, located on Sherwood near Frazho. According to Warren police, the suspects knocked on the door of the facility and as the security guard approached, one of the suspects opened fire, striking the 40-year-old guard in his extremities.

The suspects reportedly entered the building and stole a small safe.

According to police, officers arrived on the scene at approximately 12:56 a.m. where they found the security guard bleeding. Police applied tourniquets to control the bleeding before the victim was transported to the hospital by ambulance. Police said the security guard is expected to survive the injuries.

Through police-owned technology, detectives identified the suspect’s vehicle and then identified and arrested both suspects, one of whom is allegedly employed at the marijuana facility, according to police.

Both defendants appeared before Judge Michael Chupa in the 37th District Court in Warren, who set bond for each suspect at $600,000 cash or surety.

“I am once again grateful to the Prosecutor’s Office and courts for issuing appropriate charges and bonds in this matter,” said Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer.

Graham’s attorney of record is Elisha Oakes. She did not respond to a request for comment by the press deadline.

Perkins is represented by Steven Freers.

“I was just appointed to the case yesterday and have no comment at this time,” Freers said.

The next court date in the case is a probable cause conference for both suspects, scheduled for 8:45 a.m. June 20 in the 37th District Court before Judge Suzanne Faunce.