DETROIT – A man was arrested for his alleged role in an armed robbery at a Family Dollar in 2023.
Donnell Clark, 26, is facing armed robbery charges after allegedly robbing a Detroit Family Dollar in January 2023.
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On Jan. 5, 2023, Detroit police officers responded to a Family Dollar off E 7 Mile for a report of a robbery. Two Family Dollar employees told officers that two men robbed the store.
According to court documents, Clark, who was initially inside the store by himself, approached an employee and asked about pens. He then left the store and returned later with another man.
Clark was described as wearing a white and blue jacket, blue pants and brown Timberland boots. The second suspect was described as wearing a face mask with a blue zip-up style hooded sweatshirt, black jeans and black shoes.
The second suspect went to the register to purchase a stick of deodorant, and he handed the employee a $5 bill. When the employee opened the cash register, the second suspect allegedly pulled out a handgun, racked the slide, and pointed it at the cashier. He reportedly told the cashier to drop the money. He then began taking money from the cash register.
The second suspect then reportedly told the customer in line, “That s***‘s free today,” before leaving the store with Clark.
Authorities said even though the actions that took place at the register were between the second suspect and the cashier, Clark was allegedly holding another employee at gunpoint.
The second suspect was later identified by police through DNA found on the stick of deodorant he attempted to buy.
The second employee told police that Clark approached him for the second time with a handgun pointing at the ground. Clark allegedly ordered the employee to get on the ground but refused.
The second employee then noticed the robbery happening at the cash register and saw the two suspects leave together in a silver Chevrolet Malibu.
Detroit police used camera systems in the area and saw the Chevy Malibu speeding away from the Family Dollar. They looked up the license plate and learned the car belonged to Clark.
On Jan. 11, 2023, the victims were able to identify Clark. Detroit police then issued a Be on the Lookout message to area departments.
On Jan. 15, 2023, Eastpointe police conducted surveillance on Clark’s home within their city as a result of the Be on the Lookout. Eastpointe police saw Clark leave the house and get into the Chevy Malibu.
Eastpoint police conducted a traffic stop and took Clark into custody. Clark was then turned over to the Detroit police.
On May 23, 2024, FBI agents obtained a search warrant for Clark’s cell phone. While looking through his phone, they found multiple photos of Clark with guns, in front of a Chevy Malibu, wearing the same mask as the one worn in the robbery and wearing the same jacket as the one worn in the robbery. His tattoos also matched the description of the suspect involved in the robbery.
