Charter One Bank in Berkley Robbed

The Charter One bank on Woodward Avenue in Berkley was robbed of $6,000 on Monday in what authorities say could be the work of a serial armed robber.

The suspect, dressed all in black and wearing a mask that obscured most of his face, was last seen Monday running north from the bank near the North Pointe Medical building, Berkley Public Safety Deputy Director Robert North said Tuesday. The man got away with $6,000, he added.

The Royal Oak Police Department assisted in the unsuccessful effort to apprehend the man, as did the Southfield Police Department, which sent a tracker dog that was used to search the nearby neighborhood, North said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations said the man is a suspect in several recent robberies in Metro Detroit, including the following.

• Dec. 20: PNC Bank, 28841 John R in Madison Heights
• Dec. 26: PNC Bank, 225 S. Main in Royal Oak
• Jan. 15: Charter One, 200 S. Main St. in Royal Oak

He also may have been involved in the Dec. 18 robbery of the 7-Eleven at 815 W. 11 Mile Road in Madison Heights, the FBI says.

During the Jan. 15 robbery, the man entered the bank, armed with a handgun, and demanded money from the teller, according to the Royal Oak Police Department; he fled on foot after receiving the cash.

The department released a photo of the man – whom the FBI describes as between 5' 8" and 6' with a medium build – taken during the crime and said it matches the description of the suspect in the Dec. 26 robbery. 

The FBI has classified the man as an "alleged serial armed robber," who has threatened employees and customers with a small, black handgun, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Contact Crime Stoppers at 800-SPEAKUP (800-773-2587), the Berkley Public Safety Department at 248-658-3380 or the Royal Oak Police Department at 248-246-3500 if you have information about the robberies to report.