A Clinton Township man has pleaded no contest to charges stemming from three armed robberies in Macomb County last year.
Anthony Patterson, 48, entered the pleas Thursday before Macomb County Circuit Court during a pretrial hearing on three pending cases, according to a release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
The resolution includes restitution for the victims.
Judge Matthew P. Sabaugh accepted a sentencing evaluation capping Patterson’s minimum sentence at 20 years.
Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sept. 16.
Marc Hart, the attorney listed as representing Patterson, hung up when reached by phone for comment Monday.
The robberies
In the first case, Patterson allegedly robbed three workers at a Wendy’s restaurant on Gratiot Avenue in Clinton Township on Dec. 4, forcing the manager to surrender money from the safe, officials said.
He was charged with two counts of armed robbery, two counts of felony firearm, one count of weapons possession by a prohibited person and a habitual offender third-offense notice.
In the second case, Patterson entered Starlight Nails in Eastpointe on Dec. 5 and displayed a handgun while robbing each employee and customer of their money, taking a driver’s license and a debit card in the process, officials said. He was charged with four counts of armed robbery, four counts of felony firearm and a habitual offender third-offense notice.
In the third case, Patterson robbed Advance America on Harper Avenue in St. Clair Shores on Dec. 12, taking money from cash drawers and a cash box, officials said. He was charged with as charged to two counts of armed robbery, one count of felonious assault, three counts of felony firearm and a habitual offender third-offense notice.
“Armed robbery is a serious violent crime that threatens public safety and undermines the sense of security every member of our community deserves. This plea is an important step toward holding the defendant accountable. My office will continue to uphold the rule of law, seek justice for victims, and work to protect the people of Macomb County,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement.
mjohnson@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Man pleads no contest to string of Macomb Co. armed robberies
Reporting by Myesha Johnson, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Myesha Johnson, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
