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Masked clown arrested after robbery in Wayne County

Masked clown arrested after robbery in Wayne County

DETROIT (FOX 2)A man who admitted to robbing several Wayne County businesses while wearing a clown mask was charged in federal court, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday.

Brendan Bonner, 33, of Westland, was charged after allegedly robbing several businesses overnight on October 27th. Intimate Ideas on Warren Road was robbed by Bonner wearing a partial skeleton mask, black jacket and dark pants, according to the federal complaint. The complaint said he entered with a handgun and pointed it at the clerk, where he demanded money from the register and was able to get away with $400.

Nearly six hours later, authorities say, Bonner, now wearing a clown mask and green jacket, attempted to rob a McDonald’s on Ford Road. The complaint says he entered the restaurant with a gun and again demanded money from the register. The store was closed at that time, so no money was taken.

Authorities say Bonner, wearing the same mask, walked into a Shell gas station in Garden City, pointed his gun at the clerk and said, “You have 30 seconds before I start shooting.”

The suspect was able to take over $1,000 from the gas station. The criminal complaint says Bonner ran south on foot toward an apartment complex on Pardo Street.

Later that morning, Garden City police driving through the area found a man they identified as Bonner sitting in a car in front of an apartment complex. According to authorities, he was arrested and later confessed to the crime.

Police found a semi-automatic handgun, a clown mask and latex gloves. Bonner had money wrapped in rubber bands in his pockets.

During a search of his Westland home, police were able to find a skeleton mask and clothing from the first robbery at Intimate Ideas.

Police spoke with a witness who was at Bonner’s home just before the Intimate Ideas robbery, who said Bonner took a black and white mask that covered half of his face. He then allegedly built his rifle from parts ordered online.

Bonner allegedly told a witness he was going to commit a robbery, and when he returned, he said he robbed Intimate Ideas at gunpoint.

A witness told police that Bonner spent hours cleaning the money so his fingerprints wouldn’t remain on the bills. Before leaving a second time, Bonner took a clown mask and the same gun as he tried to rob a McDonald’s.

Bonner was charged with interference with commerce by threats or violence

You can read the full criminal complaint below:

Click to open this PDF in a new window.