INDEPENDENCE TWP. — Oakland County Sheriff’s Office detectives made quick work of an Independence Township bank robbery last Saturday, arresting a suspect less than 24 hours after the heist.
The suspect, a 53-year-old man from Belleville who has an extensive criminal history which includes a prior conviction for bank robbery, was expected to be arraigned on felony charges Monday in 52-2 District Court in Independence Township. He is being held in the Oakland County Jail.
“I am proud of our team and the quick, diligent, and great police work that allowed them to identify and take a suspect into custody in such a short period of time,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
The robbery happened shortly after 4 p.m. last Thursday at a Vibe Credit Union branch office at 6580 Dixie Highway, south of Maybee in Independence Township. The lone male suspect entered the branch, handed the teller a note which announced the robbery and instructed the teller to empty the cash drawer. Witnesses said the suspect was wearing a neon yellow/green hoodie, blue face mask, and dark sunglasses. He quickly left the credit union and ran north towards the Speedway Gas Station with an undisclosed amount of money.
Detectives were able to identify the type of vehicle the suspect was driving. The vehicle was connected to a rental agency and detectives tracked the vehicle to a location in Pontiac where the suspect was arrested Friday afternoon during a traffic stop.

On Oct. 7, ADT Security notified Clarkston City Manager Jonathan Smith that the city hall alarm had been activated after the conference room door had been breached.
While no damage to the building or contents was identified, security camera footage confirmed the break-in by two boys who also attempted to vandalize the city’s election drop box.
A report is being filed with the sheriff and the conference door latch has been reinforced, said Smith.