(2-3-24) The Troy (Michigan) Police Department made six arrests recently of suspects involved in ‘smash and grabs’ at six jewelry stores in Michigan and Ohio. The suspects could be the group that did a recent robbery at the Lima Mall in early January at the Kay Jewelers store.

Five of the suspects have been charged with armed robbery, while one suspect is charged with unarmed robbery and receiving and concealing stolen property. A total of $170,000 worth of jewelry was recovered.

Deshawn Hammonds, 20, Jasmine Latricia Oneal, 29, Courtez Eugene Lawrence, 27, Eric Lamar Lambert Bennett, 27, Desean Shakari Hall, 31, and 21-year-old Andre Demond Jackson have all been arraigned and are being held in the Macomb County Jail.

On 1/13/24 there was a smash and grab robbery at the Helzberg Diamonds in the Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Auburn Hills. Three black males wearing hoodies and surgical masks entered the store, smashed out the cases and stole several thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry.

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

On 1/22/24 Troy SIU was notified by the Lansing Mall of a smash and grab at their Kay Jewelers. Follow up by Eaton County Sheriff’s Office determined the getaway vehicle from the theft was the newly rented vehicle. Further investigation concluded this same group was responsible for a total of six robberies in Michigan and Ohio.

On 1/24/24 the new rental vehicle was located and surveillance was initiated. The vehicle travelled to Sterling Heights at which point Sterling Heights PD, Shelby Twp. PD and Troy PD Directed Patrol Officers were contacted and requested to assist. The vehicle entered the Lakeside Mall parking lot in Sterling Heights and began to circle the lot with another vehicle that was stolen from Harper Woods on 1/16/24. At approximately 2pm, four black males got out of the vehicle and went inside Lakeside Mall, leaving two individuals outside. All four were wearing hoods and surgical masks. After a few minutes of scouting, the four entered the Sparkles Jewelry store near center court and immediately began smashing out cases. After grabbing what they could carry, they all fled on foot in various directions, but were quickly apprehended by officers on scene. All six suspects were transported directly to Macomb County Jail. Approximately $170,000 worth of jewelry was stolen/recovered.

Lansing Man’s tip leads to arrest in Lansing mall robbery

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The Troy Police Department credits the exceptional effort of the Troy Special Investigations Unit for this complex investigation and arrests. 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.