18-Year-Old Facing Life In Prison For Rash Of Robberies In Auburn Hills
AUBURN HILLS (WWJ) - An 18-year-old man could end up spending the rest of his life behind bars after he was arrested in connection with a rash of armed robberies in Auburn Hills.
Derrick Devon Coleman, of Pontiac, was arraigned this week on eight counts of armed robbery and three counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Bond was set at $500,000, no 10 percent allowed.
Police say Coleman was arrested on Wednesday for the armed robbery of a citizen that occurred around 7:15 a.m. at Fisher Automotive on Doris Road, near Featherstone Road and I-75. According to police, Coleman threatened the victim and stole his cell phone. He then fled on foot before allegedly stealing a bicycle. Officers later located Coleman just over a mile away in the 500 block of Lancaster Lane in Pontiac. He was taken into custody without incident.
After his arrest, investigators identified Coleman as a suspect in multiple armed robberies. Police say the "rare occurrence of robberies" began on Oct. 23 and continued through Nov. 16.
The robberies occurred in the 1400 block of Opdyke Road, where two hotel clerks and a citizen were robbed. One victim received minor injuries. "Investigators generated many leads and were successful in identifying Derrick Coleman as a suspect in these crimes," Lieutenant Casimir Miarka said in a statement. "The Auburn Hills Police Department is thankful for the tips they received."
Coleman is due back in court on Dec. 1 for a pre-exam conference.
The crimes remain under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the robberies or who has any other information is asked to contact police at 248-370-9444.
