PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Two Ludington men were arrested by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office in connection to an armed robbery and a counterfeit money scheme, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.
Derek Routley, 28, has been arraigned in 79th District Court on armed robbery and felony firearm charges. His bond was set at $75,000 cash/surety.
Jarod Smith, 17, has been arraigned on charges of uttering and publishing counterfeit money, using computers to commit a crime, and marijuana possession. His bond was set at $25,000/10 percent.
Smith told police that Routley pulled a gun on him when he tried to exchange counterfeit money for marijuana.
Police said the pair planned the marijuana deal. When Routley discovered the money was counterfeit, he pulled a gun on Smith and demanded he give him the marijuana back.
“On Saturday, April 21, 2018, at 12:01 p.m., a male subject attempted to pass $200 in counterfeit $20 bills at Northside Market (6388 E. Bryant Road, Pere Marquette Township)…” Cole said. “A patron in the store witnessed the event and was able to obtain a vehicle registration from the suspect vehicle.
“MCSO deputies were able to track the subject to a residence in Hamlin Township where he was found along with evidence indicating the subject was printing money. While conducting interviews, detectives with the MCSO learned of an alleged armed robbery which had taken place in the City of Ludington on Friday, April 20, 2018.
“Throughout the day and night on (April) 21st, deputies and detectives conducted interviews and executed search warrants in Hamlin, Pere Marquette and Eden townships. During those search warrants, $1,800 worth of counterfeit money, $200 in cash suspected of being stolen from the Northside Market, and evidence linked to the armed robbery were all recovered.”
The Ludington Police Department, the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) and the State, Sheriffs, Chiefs Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT) assisted MCSO. The case remains under investigation.