Matthew Christopher Brusen of Independence Township, 21, was arraigned on one count of armed robbery, Feb. 18, which carries a penalty of up to life in prison.
Brusen was taken into custody without incident on Feb. 17 by detectives from the Independence Substation, as a result of a tip.
He is charged in the armed robbery of the Rite Aid Pharmacy at 5751 Clarkston Road in Independence Township, Feb. 16 at 6:27 p.m.
The suspect allegedly entered the pharmacy, selected an item to purchase, and had it rung up by the clerk. When she gave him the change, he stated, “I’ll take the money,” and lifted his coat to indicate he was armed. He then stated, “It’s only money.” The clerk handed the money from the register to him. The suspect exited the store and as he was leaving, he said, “I am sorry I have to do this.”
Detectives recovered the item purchased, an air soft pistol, clothes worn during the robbery, and $433 of the $500 originally taken. The suspect had shaved off his facial hair prior to his arrest in an attempt to alter his image, police said. The suspect was booked into the Oakland County Jail.
Brusen was arraigned in front of Magistrate Thomas Raguso at 52-2 District Court. He was given a $200,000 cash surety bond, no 10 percent, and must wear a GPS tether if bonded out.
His next court date will be on Feb. 28 at 8:35 a.m. in front of the Honorable Judge Kelley Kostin at 52-2 District Court.
Brusen has a criminal history which includes multiple drug misdemeanors, retail fraud, and breaking and entering, according to OCSO.