An armed robbery suspect is dead after he was shot trying to rob a donut shop on the southeast side of Clinton Township on Thursday afternoon, according to police.
The incident took place about 12:45 p.m. at the Golden Donuts on the 34000 block of Harper Avenue at Quinn Road, between 14 Mile and 15 Mile roads.
According to a preliminary investigation, a male suspect in his mid-30s entered the store and pulled out what police said appeared to be a firearm while demanding cash from the register.
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“During the incident, an employee produced a firearm and discharged a shot, which is believed to have struckthe suspect,” police Detective Brandon Blake said in a news release.
Authorities said the suspect ran from the shop and got into a vehicle, which crashed a short distance away at a gas station at 15 Mile and Harper. The car was soon located by detectives.
Clinton Township police officers and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene, and the suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, Blake added.
No injuries were reported among the donut store staff.
Detectives interviewed the employee at the Clinton Township Police Department. They were released pending further investigation.
Gary Nerschel, who works behind the donut shop, said he was surprised to see the police presence by the store.
“This neighborhood is fairly quiet and isn’t one where there is a lot of crime that I know of,” he said.
A St. Clair Shores woman who was on her way to Golden Donuts to buy some fritters for her family agreed.
“I am just in shock at what happened,” said the woman, who declined to identify herself. “This store is such a wonderful place, they have wonderful people working there. It’s heartbreaking to me.”
Police said the case remains an active investigation and additional details will be provided as they become available.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Clinton Township Police Department at 586-493-7857.
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