Alleged Robber Killed In Gun Battle Outside Bank, 2nd Suspect At Large
CLINTON TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - Witnesses said it was a wild scene with "police everywhere" after an armored truck guard opened fire on a pair of alleged robbers outside a Clinton Township bank.
One suspect is still at large following the incident at around 1:30 p.m. Thursday at a Bank of America branch on Gratiot Ave., just north of Metro Parkway.
Clinton Township Police Chief Fred Posavetz said an armored truck guard was coming out of the bank with bundles of cash when he was confronted by two robbers.
The guard handed over the money and a "gun battle" ensued, Posavetz said. "This is not your typical robbery."
One of the alleged robbers was killed. The guard was not harmed in the exchange of gunfire.
The hunt continued for the second who, according to police, fled the scene in a Chrysler Town and Country minivan, before ditching the vehicle.
Andrea Hernandez was one of several witnesses in the parking lot when it all went down.
"I could see the armored truck guy, and he was shooting," Hernandez said. "He shot three shots...and then he got back in the truck and closed the door behind him," she said.
Hernandez said the wounded suspect — who she said was "geared up" in military fatigues with combat boots and SWAT-style vest — fell to the ground with a weapon a bag of cash nearby.
She's a nurse, and approached in an attempt to help the man.
"I saw the gun wasn't close to him and the bag of money wasn't close to him where he could reach it," Hernandez said. "I could see that he was obviously severely incapacitated.
"...Then (police) said, 'Back up,' and then we backed up; and then he died," Hernandez said. "It just shows that one bad mistake can end your life."
More than 10 bullet casings were on the ground.
The guard, who was armed with a semi-automatic weapon, was apparently unhurt and was being interviewed by police.
A spokesperson for the armored car company says they are fully cooperating with the police investigation.
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