According to WXYZ-TV (7 News Detroit), a 26-year-old Detroit man walked into the Taylor Police Department records lobby to retrieve a gun that had been confiscated from him — and was arrested inside the lobby. Derik Smith is now facing charges connected to an armed robbery outside a woman's Taylor apartment, and investigators say his case may be tied to a string of similar attacks on exotic dancers across metro Detroit.
According to WXYZ 7 News Detroit, Smith was charged with one count of armed robbery, larceny, receiving and concealing stolen property, and four counts of felony firearm. Police say Smith allegedly pointed a handgun at the head of a 32-year-old woman and took her watch, phone and car keys. The woman had just returned home from her job at a Detroit gentlemen's club, arriving at her Taylor apartment around 3 a.m. on Sept. 16, when the robbery is alleged to have occurred.
Evidence Cited in the Investigation
WXYZ reported that investigators used Flock camera technology to trace a vehicle to Smith’s home, where they found keys to the getaway car in his bedroom. Officers also seized Smith’s phone, gun and car. Searches of the vehicle turned up a black ski mask and a magazine, and a firearm was recovered inside the residence.
What Taylor says about Flock data
The City of Taylor’s Flock Transparency Portal says the police department uses retroactive searches and real-time alerts for hotlist vehicles, and makes its policies and usage statistics publicly available. The portal information confirms those uses and the availability of policies, but does not specify retention periods or sharing practices.
The victim's stolen watch was eventually tracked down after Smith allegedly shipped it to an out-of-state jeweler, per the same account. Investigators also found searches on Smith's phone about removing a license plate and disabling a phone to avoid police detection, along with a search about how difficult armed robberies are to solve.
Investigators Eye a Pattern Targeting Dancers
Taylor police are now investigating whether Smith is connected to a broader pattern of armed robberies targeting dancers, a pattern the outlet reports dates back as far as December of the previous year. Investigators describe a suspect who would watch dancers leave the clubs, follow them home, and rob them at gunpoint — with the robberies allegedly targeting exotic dancers at two Detroit gentlemen's clubs.
The scope of that possible connection is not entirely settled. As reported by WXYZ-TV (7 News Detroit), Taylor police have said Smith may be responsible for as many as 20 cases fitting the robbery pattern, while the department has also attributed a possible link to more than 20 similar armed robberies across metro Detroit to Smith. Separately, he is being investigated for at least three armed robberies in Detroit, Melvindale and Farmington Hills, as noted in the report.
Phil Wengrowski said the Flock cameras greatly assisted the investigation, and he said police believe other victims may exist, asking them to contact police. 7 News Detroit contacted one of the clubs police say Smith was targeting, and a club manager said the owner would call back.
Court Dates Ahead
Per a report from WXYZ-TV (7 News Detroit), Smith appeared in court for his arraignment on Friday, where a judge set his bond at $300,000. His next court date is scheduled for October 5.
