SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A man from Houston, Texas, is facing more than a dozen felonies after two men were found shot to death inside Star Auto Sales in Shelby Township.
The victims, identified as 40-year-old Marvan Batoo of Shelby Township and 48-year-old Ghaith Baban of Clinton Township, were discovered by an employee on Friday, Nov. 7.
Batoo owned the dealership, and Baban was believed to be there to discuss purchasing a vehicle.
Both men are survived by their wives and children.
Police arrested Terrance Jermain Sandles at a Romulus hotel near Detroit Metro Airport the very next day. He was charged with murder and denied bond.
Police held a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 11, to share more details on the case.
It can be watched in the video player above.
Dispute over vehicle sale led to shootings
Police believe the murders were connected to a dispute over a Hummer that was sold to Sandles for about $3,000. The employee who found the bodies reportedly told authorities Sandes had argued with Batoo about the sale and made threats a few weeks prior.
At some point before 12:30 p.m. Friday, police believe Sandles entered the main office of Star Auto Sales, shot Batoo and Baban at point-blank range and exited with a large amount of cash taken from the business.
Surveillance video captured the suspect leaving the building at 12:28 p.m., wearing dark clothes and a mask to conceal his identity.
“He went in to kill that man, to kill the owner,” said Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide. “Mr. Baban just happened to be there at the time.”
Police track suspect to hotel, execute no-knock raid
Police received a 911 call at 12:38 p.m. from an employee who had just returned from buying parts and found the bodies.
First responders arrived at the scene at 12:41 p.m.
Police said they were able to quickly review surveillance footage and identify a suspect vehicle, which was tracked to a hotel in Romulus.
Surveillance cameras reportedly captured Sandles entering the hotel an hour after the shooting, wearing the same clothing as in the prior video.
Police believe he had been living at the hotel after fleeing Texas to avoid an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest.
At about 6 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, police executed a no-knock raid on the hotel room.
Police said they found Sandles in bed with a gun and cash stolen from the dealership. A second gun was found at the nightstand.
Charges filed, suspect denied bond
While police said a large amount of cocaine was found in the hotel room, a drug distribution charge has been dropped and he will likely be charged in a separate investigation in a different jurisdiction.
Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido said Sandles has a lengthy criminal history in Texas and will likely be extradited at some point.
Sandles has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, carrying a concealed weapon and six counts of felony firearm.
He was charged as a habitual offender, fourth offense.
Sandles was denied bond and is scheduled to return to court Nov. 24.