Keijuan Watkins was arrested for his alleged connection in three recent robberies in Dearborn Heights and Westland after photos of him with at least one of the stolen guns were found on Instagram.
This was after Keondrick Rayford and Kendrick Rayford were arrested earlier in the week when they were turned in by a friend who wanted the $20,000 reward for their arrest.
Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives searched Watkins residence in Detroit Sept. 20, where they found several of the more than 75 guns taken in the three robberies.
Agents are seeking charge of knowingly possessing stolen firearms against Watkins.
The first robbery was in Westland, at the Freedom Holster Gun Shop at about 4:30 a.m. Sept. 11. About 30 minutes later, just after 5 a.m., a car was driven through the front of CC Coins Jewelry and Loan, 24614 W. Warren, Dearborn Heights. Just after midnight the next day, the suspects returned to the Dearborn Heights business, drove another vehicle through the newly boarded-up building, and stole several more weapons. Based on surveillance video, it appears several subjects are involved in the break-ins.
Local police, along with the Detroit Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), continue to look for the other four suspects.
“We are asking anyone with information about these individuals to contact us immediately,” said Paul Vanderplow, special agent in charge of the ATF Detroit Field Division. “These individuals and stolen firearms pose a threat to community safety as well as our law enforcement partners. Trafficked stolen firearms serve one purpose and that is to terrorize our communities. Take a close look at the images and reach out to us if you have any information.”
Dearborn Heights Police Chief Jerrod Hart said law enforcement is working hard to identify the remaining suspects.
“We are leveraging all local, state, and federal partnerships and resources to bring the responsible individuals to justice and recover stolen weapons before another senseless tragedy occurs,” he said. “We sincerely appreciate the high volume and quality of information the public has shared thus far, but we must move beyond words and speak up if you know the identity of the remaining suspects and/or location of the firearms.”
Anyone with possible evidence, or that may have video surveillance images they wish to share, should call the tip line at 313-654-8021.
At least one of the people from the Westland robbery was also involved in a CVS robbery, also in Westland, on Sept. 11, police said.