Man goes on crime spree from Canton Township to Detroit: Here's what we know

Allan Farris, 56, had just posted bond Monday

DETROIT – Allan Elton Farris posted bond Monday on charges of felonious assault out of Detroit. The next day, he became a suspect in a robbery and shooting in Canton, a kidnapping and several carjackings, culminating in a shootout with Michigan State Police before he was fatally shot.

Farris, 56, of Detroit, was found dead Wednesday morning with multiple gunshot wounds in the 11500 block of Bradford Street, near Gratiot Avenue and East Outer Drive, on Detroit's east side.

Allan Farris was found dead in Detroit after a shootout with Michigan State Police troopers on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. (WDIV)

Michigan State Police said troopers exchanged gunfire with the suspect after he tried to carjack an undercover trooper. 

State police said no law enforcement members were injured.

Timeline of events

Here is a timeline of events that was released by Michigan State Police:

  • 9 p.m., Tuesday, April 3 - Report of attempted carjacking and shooting near Joy and Morton Taylor roads in Canton; female victim is in good condition.
  • 9:05 p.m. - Report of attempted home invasion and shots fired in Canton; no injuries.
  • 9:15 p.m. - Report of home invasion, shooting and carjacking in Canton; female victim in good condition.
  • Police track Farris to the Northville area in the stolen vehicle. Farris refused to stop, crashed and fled on foot.
  • Report of carjacking and kidnapping in Northville Township; female victim dropped off in Highland Park and is in good condition.
  • 3:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 4 - Attempted carjacking of undercover MSP trooper in the city of Detroit. Gunfire is exchanged; unknown at this time if Farris was injured in the exchange.
  • 7:20 a.m. - MSP EST members observe Farris hiding behind a garage near Bradford and Flanders streets in the city of Detroit and attempted to use non-lethal force to take him into custody. Farris fired at the officers and MSP EST members returned fire. Farris is located deceased.

Suspect posted bond Monday

Farris faced charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and malicious destruction of property out of Detroit and was arraigned March 23.

Judge Lydia Nance Adams set his bond at $25,000, 10 percent. He posted bond Monday.

He was due in court for a probable cause conference Tuesday. Farris didn't show and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Suspect was registered sex offender

According to court records, Farris has been a registered sex offender since 1987.

He was convicted of of first-degree criminal sexual conduct on Feb. 6, 1987.

His aliases include Louis Lynch and Alef Mohammad, according to the registry.

Carjackings in Canton Township

Farris' alleged crime spree started at about 9 p.m. Tuesday with an attempted carjacking outside the Salvation Army store on Joy Road in Canton Township.

The woman behind the wheel put up a fight and was shot. She suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The gunman then ran on foot across the street and carjacked someone else.  

A man went on a crime spree April 3, 2018 which started in Canton Township and led police to Detroit's east side. (WDIV)
Police search for a suspect in Detroit wanted for a shooting and carjackings on April 3, 2018 in Canton Township and Northville Township. (WDIV)

He led police on a chase to Northville Township where he crashed at Sheldon and 5 Mile roads, prompting a shelter-in-place for residents in the area.

Authorities say he carjacked another woman outside a CVS store. Farris allegedly forced her to stay in the car and drive him to Highland Park. He held the woman at gunpoint and bound her with duct tape.

She was let go when they got to Highland Park. 

Police search Detroit's east side

On Wednesday morning, police were focused on an area  near Gratiot Avenue and East Outer Drive. The vehicle's GPS helped authorities locate the suspect. 

Residents were advised to stay in their homes and report any suspicious activity to 911.

Police surround area of Gratiot Avenue and East Outer Drive in Detroit as they search for a shooting and carjacking suspect on April 4, 2018. (WDIV)
A man wanted in connection to a shooting and carjackings crime spree April 3, 2018 in western Wayne County was found dead the next morning on Detroit's east side. (WDIV)

The suspect was tracked to the area of Roseberry Avenue and Wilfred Street in Detroit. State police said Farris tried to carjack an undercover trooper.

The suspect and trooper exchanged gunfire, police said. 

Farris was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds after a shootout with authorities.

Stay with ClickOnDetroit for updates. 


About the Authors:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.