ATM Shooting Suspect Identified 'Immediately' After Photos Posted To Social Media
MACOMB TWP. (WWJ) - A 19-year-old Ray Township man could be charged Tuesday after he allegedly open fired on an ATM with a pellet gun, causing extensive damage to the machine and the bank.
The shooting took place around 6 a.m. on September 5 at the Comerica Bank on 26 Mile Road in Macomb Township. Damage to the glass in the machine was in excess of $1,000, according to police.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office posted surveillance photos of the incident on social media, which showed the driver clearly brandishing a firearm and pointing it directly at the ATM machine, and "immediately" started receiving tips.
Here's ANOTHER subject that we (The Sheriff's Office) are trying to identify. On September 4th, at approximately...
Posted by Macomb County Sheriff's Office on Monday, September 12, 2016
Police took at least 20 calls with information, including one on Tuesday from a person who said his car was shot at while in a Kroger parking lot at 26 Mile and Romeo Plank. The 38-year-old Macomb Township man told police he was in the parking lot of an adjacent strip mall when he passed a white four-door sedan, which was also in the parking lot with all its windows rolled down. The man told police that when he passed the sedan, he heard two to four "pops" coming from the side of the vehicle, which then sped off at a high-rate of speed. After the man parked his door, he found two "dents" in the front passenger door, police said.
Police say the man did not report the incident at the time that it occurred. However, after seeing the Sheriff's Facebook post about the damage to the ATM, the man realized that the incidents were related and called police.
Following that report, detectives interviewed the suspect -- who is now facing a felony charge of malicious destruction of property over $1,000. The man's name is being withheld until his arraignment.
"We would like to extend our appreciation to all of the persons who 'follow' the Macomb County Sheriff's Office on social media and to those who took the time to 'share' the post and call with information," Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said in a statement.
Meantime, Shelby Township police shared the post saying they had several reports of windows being shot out with BB guns over the past couple of weeks. It's unknown whether those incidents are related to the ATM pellet gun attack.
An investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information is urged to contact police at 586-307-9358.