Father, Son Suspected in Father's Day Armed Robbery

A father and son  suspected of robbing a Ferndale man at gunpoint early Sunday were arraigned Monday in 43rd District Court in Ferndale.

Alexander Beinville Sr., 45, and his son Alexander Beinville II, 21, both of Flint, were arraigned remained in custody Monday. Police arrested the pair after a 55-year-old Ferndale resident was robbed in a parking lot north of Nine Mile and west of Woodward, Ferndale Detective Patrick Jones said.

The father is charged with armed robbery and possession of a loaded firearm and jailed on a $75,000 bond, while the son was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and jailed on a $25,000 bond.

The incident took place about 4:26 a.m. on Father's Day morning. The victim flagged down a Ferndale Police officer and reported that a man with a gun had just robbed him, Jones said.

"The victim pointed to the suspect that was walking away north in the parking lot," he said. "The officer drove into the parking lot and observed the suspect approach and open the left rear passenger door of a vehicle parked in the parking lot."

Jones said the officer observed the suspect throw an object into the car. As the suspect continued to walk northeast through the parking lot, toward the alley, the officer ordered the suspect to stop. "The suspect then ran from the officer through the parking lot toward Nine Mile and Woodward," Jones said.

The driver of the vehicle, which Jones said was a silver 2006 Dodge Stratus, drove to Woodward and Vester, where the suspect on foot entered the car. Jones said the younger Beinville was behind the wheel when it was stopped. 

"The police officer blocked the suspects' vehicle with the patrol car to prevent the suspects from driving way," Jones said. At this time the officer arrested both suspects and recovered a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun used in the robbery and a loaded sawed-off 16-gauge shotgun.

Jones said the stolen cash, which was nominal, was recovered as well.

If convicted, the father could face up to life in prison for armed robbery. The son could face a five years.

As of Monday afternoon, Jones said neither had posted bond.