Detroit police chief releases more details in cop robbery case

1 Detroit sergeant, 1 St. Clair Shores sergeant arrested in connection to robbery

DETROIT – Detroit police released details Monday about a sergeant who was arrested over the weekend in connection with a string of recent robberies.

A 20-year veteran of the department was arrested Sunday at the 12th Precinct.

He's accused of being involved in several robberies where the crooks posed a police officers and stole cash and cellphones from victims. At least one victim was injured when struck with a handgun, police say. Police only are investigating one incident while there is no apparent connection to the other reports of fake police officers robbing and beating people on the city's east side.

There also has been an arrest within the St. Clair Shores Police Department for a similar incident. The St. Clair Shores officer arrested is a 17-year veteran and a sergeant who, Detroit Police Chief James Craig says, used to work with the Detroit Police Department.

Watch: Uncut: Detroit police conference on officers' arrests

Craig said both sergeants were arrested on Saturday. The Detroit police sergeant has been suspended. The officers were not on duty at the time of the alleged crime, Craig said.

During the alleged robberies, both police officers had pulled up in their own personal vehicle. They were dressed in plain clothes but were wearing police badges. They reportedly confronted two people at gas pumps during one incident on July 21.

Someone came forward with photographs from that incident. Investigators working the case recognized one of the men believed to be a fake cop. Turns out he was a real cop -- a 20-year veteran.

"At that time, the information and photographs were turned over to internal affairs for additional investigation. A photographic lineup was conducted and the complainant identified the outside agency sergeant," said Craig.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said it had received two warrant requests for the officers, but had not yet made a charging decision.

"It could be a myriad of charges, two of course: robbery, assault," said Craig.

The sergeants attended the Detroit police academy together and both worked in Detroit until the one left for St. Clair Shores 17 years ago.