Two Men Accused of Committing More Armed Robberies and Carjackings
Angel Contreras and James Robinson, both 21, who have been jailed since last autumn for a string of armed robberies and carjackings, are now facing additional charges. The latest allegations include a shootout with an off-duty Chicago police officer.
Contreras was initially arrested last October after a vehicle pursuit. Prosecutors later charged him with a crime spree that began in suburban Lansing on July 23, 2024. Robinson has since been implicated in the same crimes.
One of the incidents involved a black SUV pulling up to a carwash in Lansing, where four armed men stole wallets, phones, and a Nissan Pathfinder from two victims. The spree continued with another armed robbery outside Planet Fitness, where a young woman was forced out of her vehicle at gunpoint.
Shortly after, Contreras and Robinson attempted to carjack a woman in Chicago, leading to a confrontation with an off-duty police officer. A shootout ensued, but thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Robinson, who was already on probation for a previous gun-related offense, is also accused of a separate robbery spree on the day before the incidents mentioned above. This spree included multiple armed robberies and carjackings in different locations.
Authorities used video evidence and cellphone data to link Contreras and Robinson to the crimes. Both men remain in custody pending trial for the new charges.
These developments highlight the ongoing issue of armed robberies and carjackings in the area, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and law enforcement efforts to combat such crimes.
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