UPDATE 5/17/24 9:28 p.m.
MANISTEE COUNTY — The Manistee County Sheriff’s Office says the Brethren EZ Mart robbery suspect, Clement Hunt, has been arraigned on one count of armed robbery and two counts of criminal contempt of court.
Hunt is currently lodged at the Manistee County Jail with a bond of $53,500.
UPDATE 5/17/24 1:10 p.m.
MANISTEE COUNTY — The Manistee County Sheriff’s Office says the Brethren EZ Mart robbery suspect, Clement Hunt, has been found and arrested.
On May 17, Manistee County Central Dispatch got a tip around 10:30 a.m. that a suspect matching Hunt’s description was seen on River Road near Kettner Road in Brown Township.
The Sheriff’s Office says deputies found Hunt just north of River Road a short time later. He was arrested and taken to the Manistee County Jail.
Deputies are investigating reports of a second suspect in the vehicle during the robbery, but they do not believe there is any danger to the public.
5/15/24 8:15 p.m.
MANISTEE COUNTY — The Manistee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported robbery that occurred at the Brethren EZ Mart around 3 p.m. on May 14.
Initial information reports that a male came into the store and demanded the money in the cash register from the clerk, deputies said. The suspect kept his hand in his pocket and gestured to it, making the clerk believe there was a weapon in his pocket, but no weapon was ever brandished, deputies said.
An unknown amount of money was turned over to the man and he left the store, deputies said.
Another witness stated they saw the man get into a truck and leave the scene with another male, according to officials. Both suspects were described as being approximately 30 years old.
The man from the store was described as a white male wearing a hoodie sweatshirt with a scary movie (faces of classic horror movie characters) design, which was black and white in color, deputies said. He was also described as being approximately 5′ to 5′4″ tall with a small build. He has a tattoo under his left eye, neck tattoos and a tattoo on his hand.
The getaway vehicle matches the description of a vehicle that had been reported stolen from Lake County earlier in the day, deputies said. It is a 2002 Dodge Dakota XXT, tannish-gray colored, with a John Deere and a flame sticker in the window. The vehicle registration is Michigan plate 5791L4. The vehicle also reportedly has damage to the rear bumper.
The sheriff’s office is requesting assistance from the public in locating the vehicle. If you observe this vehicle or have information on its whereabouts, please call 911 immediately.
The Manistee County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Michigan State Police, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal Police, the Benzie County Sheriff’s Office, and Manistee County Central Dispatch.
The incident is still under investigation.