SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – A woman was charged for allegedly robbing a bank in Southfield and attacking an employee with a hatchet.
The armed robbery happened near the intersection of 12 Mile and Franklin roads just after 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 1.
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According to authorities, Blake Herring, a 22-year-old from Dearborn Heights, went into the PNC bank with a hatchet and demanded money. She allegedly hit an employee in the head with the hatchet before taking an undisclosed amount of money and leaving the bank.
Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said Herring also pulled out a handgun during the robbery.
Similar crime, not the same suspect
During a press conference on July 7, Barren said there were two separate crimes that happened within three minutes of each other that led officers to initially believe were done by the same suspect.
Southfield police initially responded to an apartment complex off 12 Mile for a report of a man threatening to hurt the leasing office employees with an axe before driving away. Barren said the suspect described in this crime wore similar clothing and drove away in a car similar to the armed robbery suspect.
Police arrested the man in Detroit later that day and learned he was not the suspect in the armed robbery. Barren said these incidents were not related — a coincidence.
Suspect bought hatchet, swung it around before robbery
After further investigation, officers found Herring in security footage buying a hatchet at a Meijer hours before the robbery. She was also reportedly seen on video practicing swinging the hatchet after buying it.
Barren said Herring’s appearance matched the security footage at the Meijer and the bank.
Herring was also seen arriving at the bank and sitting in her car for about half an hour before walking up to the building and then returning to her car. Barren believes she was hesitating to enter the bank but eventually walked back to the building and allegedly started the bank robbery.
Herring was arrested on July 2. She was charged with bank robbery and assault with intent to murder. Her bond was set at $2 million cash/surety, and she is expected to appear in court on July 17.
During Herring’s arrest, police found money in her home and car totaling up to $2,500. Barren said she had a history of traffic violations but did not have a violent history prior to the robbery.
Barren spoke to the victim who was hit with the hatchet, and he said she was in good spirits. She is at home recovering after spending several days at the hospital.