Armed Robbery Suspects Appear in Federal Court

DETROIT – Five employees of the Ferndale Pharmacy endured about 30 minutes of terror Monday night, including a gunshot and beating, as two armed men robbed the workers of money and business of drugs while a getaway driver waited outside, according to an FBI statement submitted as the suspects appeared in federal court today.

The three suspects in the  appeared in federal court in Detroit on Thursday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate R. Steven Whalen, who set a detention hearing for the suspects for 1 p.m. Friday.

Aubry Allen, 19, and Alfred Wingate Jr., 41, both of Oak Park, and Christian Reid, 19, of Hamtramck face a criminal complaint that includes robbing a pharmacy registered with the DEA with violence and intimidation and carrying and possessing a firearm. 

Wingate also had a warrant out for his arrest for a parole violation for a second-degree murder conviction.

Wingate and Reid were represented by federally appointed attorney Leroy Solas. Allen retained the services of David Steingold of Detroit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Chadwell is prosecuting the case.

The Ferndale case was handed over to the FBI due to specific federal laws focusing on armed robberies and pharmacies.

Following is what local and federal officials say happened Monday:

About 6:30 p.m., a quick-thinking female employee called 911, leaving the phone line open. The Ferndale police officer on the other end heard an unknown person saying he would kill someone if the victims called the police, according to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint written by FBI Special Agent Jonathan T. Adkins. As dispatch continued to listen, they heard two suspects demand money and drugs and hear a shot go off in the pharmacy.

Due to this, police officers were able to reach the scene while the robbery was still in progress.

The victims, according to the FBI, said Wingate and Allen ordered everyone to the floor, threatening to kill anyone who looked at either of them. Wingate forced an employee at gunpoint to open the register. It was then that the two gunmen restrained all the victims' hands behind their backs with zip ties.

One victim was injured when one of the robbers fired a handgun into the floor two feet in front of him, the FBI said. Shrapnel went flying, injuring his arm. Another victim was hit twice in the back of the head with a pistol by one of the gunmen, officials said.

A female victim told officials that the robber forced her to fill a duffle bag with money and drugs.

The two gunmen exited out the Ferndale Pharmacy as the robbery concluded. A pharmacist inside the building said the entire incident lasted about 30 minutes. As the robbers exited, the fled on the sight of the police, the FBI said, ignoring commands to surrender.

After a foot chase, both suspects were arrested. Wingate was found in possession of $1,345, which was separated into distinct wads, consistent with theft from the victims, according to the FBI.

As officers escorted Wingate to a patrol car, another male on a bike was taken into custody on suspicion of involvement. According to the affidavit from the FBI, Wingate looked at the male and said: "He's got nothin' to do with it, you got me, I did it."

The fourth male was determined to be an innocent bystander and released.

Ferndale officers located a black duffle bag used in the robbery directly outside the rear door of the pharmacy. Inside the duffel bag, the FBI said, was a black Kel-Tec 9mm semi-automatic handgun, cash and controlled substances.

The drugs included oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, dilaudid, morphine sulphate, among others, the FBI said. The value was well more than the $500 the manager at Ferndale Pharmacy told the FBI.

Police officers located a gold plated Smith & Wesson .44 magnum revolver in a parking lot east of the pharmacy. The FBI said officers removed five unused bullets and one fired shell casing from the handgun.

While the robbery was taking place, before Wingate and Allen exited the back door, Reid, the getaway driver, was sitting in a 2009 maroon Honda Odyssey minivan, backed into a parking space in the pharmacy parking lot with the engine running, the FBI said.

As a police officer approached the minivan, armed with an AR 15 rifle, Reid drove off at a high rate of speed.  The officer then fired several rounds toward the minivan to disable the vehicle. Reid led a chase into Detroit, crashing near Livernois and Norfolk and was arrested.

Officers recovered a single 9mm bullet inside the minivan, the FBI said. It was the same caliber as a gun used in the robbery.

The minivan was registered to Nancy Brown, of Oak Park. Brown told the FBI that she was Wingate's girlfriend and loaned the minivan to Wingate on a daily basis.