A planned pharmacy heist at the University of Michigan Health Chelsea Health Center ended with two suspects in cuffs, two more on the run, and nothing stolen after police swarmed the clinic Friday during an alleged burglary in progress.
How the arrests unfolded
Officers were called to the Chelsea clinic on a report of a burglary in progress at the on-site pharmacy near East Old U.S. 12. As they arrived, police said they spotted a vehicle that matched the description of a suspect car leaving the scene and moved in to follow it.
According to investigators, officers stopped the vehicle and detained two men, ages 39 and 40, both from Detroit. A short time later, police found an abandoned, unoccupied vehicle in the 17000 block of W. Old U.S. 12 that they believe was also tied to the attempted robbery.
Despite the chaos, detectives said nothing was actually taken from the pharmacy. The two detained men were taken into custody while investigators continued to search for the other two suspected members of the group, according to MLive/The Ann Arbor News.
Where it happened
The Chelsea Health Center is part of University of Michigan Health and includes an on-site pharmacy that serves residents in and around Chelsea. The health system lists the clinic along East Old U.S. 12, describing it as a community hub that offers both outpatient and inpatient services for the region, according to University of Michigan Health.
Investigators link group to other break-ins
Detectives said they believe the same four-person crew is tied to a string of other break-ins at pharmacies and smoke shops across southeast Michigan. Similar incidents have been reported in Shelby Township, Novi, Flat Rock and East Lansing, and investigators think Friday's attempted robbery may be part of that pattern.
Two suspected accomplices remained unidentified following the Chelsea arrests, and police urged anyone with information about the group or the other break-ins to contact authorities as the investigation continues, per MLive/The Ann Arbor News.
Chelsea police, working with regional partners, are still piecing together the case and have not yet released formal charges or booking details. In the meantime, residents are being asked to stay alert and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement while detectives chase down new leads.
