Shots Fired As Police Chase Suspected Clown Mask-Wearing Robber

LIVONIA (WWJ) - In the latest of what seems to be a series of clown-related crimes, shots were fired Thursday during a car chase that spanned Livonia, Westland and Detroit.

Police from multiple jurisdictions took part in the pursuit of a mask-wearing man wanted in at least two holdups in the Detroit area. He remains at large.

Livonia Police Capt. Robert Nencarini said the suspect — wearing a black hoodie, gray sweatpants and a clown mask — was armed with a handgun when he robbed a clerk and several guests at the Embassay Suites on Victor Parkway in Livonia.

Three hours later, Nencarini said, the same man was wearing a pumpkin mask when he walked into the Days Inn at Plymouth Road and Ann Arbor Roads. The suspect pointed a gun in the lobby, but was scared off by a large number of guests, according to a clerk.

Nencarini said police tracked the crook, in a blue Chevy Impala, to Plymouth and Farmington roads in Livonia. After turning southbound on Merriman Road to Plymouth Road, Nencarini said, the suspect began firing shots at pursuing police.

"None of our officers were struck; we don't believe any of our vehicles were hit," he said. "And we continued the pursuit through several communities and ended up losing sight of the vehicle at Ford Road and Southfield Road; and so we are actively looking for the vehicle."

A witness said he was walking along Merriman Road, near Joy Road when he saw a blue sedan blow through a red light with as many as 20 police cars on its tail.

"A few seconds after that I could hear more sirens coming on, then I also heard three loud pow, pow, pow!," said the man, who didn't want to give his name.

A manhunt continues. Nencarini said the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.

At 12:30 p.m., Merriman Road remained closed between Plymouth and W. Chicago with police still on the scene.