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 Wednesday, according to a criminal complaint.

Brendan Bonner, 33, of Westland was charged after allegedly robbing multiple businesses on Oct. 27. According to a federal complaint, Intimate Ideas on Warren Road was robbed by Bonner who was wearing a partial skeleton mask, a black jacket and dark pants. According to the complaint, he went inside with a gun and pointed it at the clerk, where he demanded money from the register and escaped with $400.

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

Authorities say Bonner wore 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 more than €1,000 from the gas station. According to the criminal complaint, Bonner then ran on foot south 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 the apartment complex. According to authorities, he was arrested and later admitted to the crime.

Police reportedly found a semiautomatic pistol, a clown mask and latex gloves. Bonner had money wrapped in rubber bands in his pockets.

While searching his home in Westland, police were able to find the skeleton mask and clothing from the first robbery at Intimate Ideas.

Police spoke to a witness who was at Bonner’s home just before the Intimate Ideas robbery, who said Bonner brought a black and white mask that covered half his face. He then allegedly made his weapon from parts he ordered online.

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

The witness told police that Bonner had cleaned the money for hours so his fingerprints would not be found on the notes. Before leaving a second time, Bonner took a clown mask and the same gun with him when he went to try to rob the McDonald’s.

Bonner has been charged with interference with trade by threat or violence

You can read the full criminal complaint below:

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