Suspects in T-Mobile Unarmed Robbery Appear in Court, Avoid Trial

Two of three men police alleged were involved in an unarmed robbery of the T-Mobile store on 9 Mile this summer have appeared in Macomb Circuit Court and plead responsibility before heading to trial.

The men, Thomas James Williams, 22, and Timmy Washington, 17, were involved in a string of robberies of cellular stores in Macomb County and Detroit, according to police.

The pair were arrested and in custody in the Macomb County Jail after police say they ripped iPads from a story display in Macomb Township on July 21 and fled the store. A store employee pursued the getaway vehicle and helped the Macomb County Sheriff's Office locate and arrest the men.

Following the arrest, St. Clair Shores police investigators were able to link the men to the T-Mobile robbery, and brought charges against Washington and Williams.

The men were charged in the robbery that occurred about 7:35 p.m. June 28 when three males entered into the T-Mobile store. According to a police report, store employees recognized them as the men who stole cell phones on June 27 at a store in Detroit. 

The men split up and acted as if they were talking on their cellphones, the report said. One of the suspects then said “forget this we’re out,” and the men grabbed display cellular phones ripping them from their security cords, according to police. 

The report says they stole two iPhone 5s, and a Samsung cellphone, while trying to flee from the store. They ran into the glass door causing it break. An employee also attempted to stop the men and was thrown to the floor by the suspects, but was not seriously injured. 

Williams, 22, plead no contest Tuesday to unarmed robbery, conspiracy to commit unarmed robbery, malicious destruction of a building and deactivation or removal of a theft detection device. He will be sentenced Jan. 23. 

Washington, 17, plead guilty Nov. 15 before Judge Mary Chrzanowski to unarmed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, malicious destruction of property and removal of a theft tracking device. He was sentenced up to 15 years in prison.