A man was federally charged after he allegedly carjacked a man while he was at a Detroit gas station.
On July 18, 2024, a routine trip for morning coffee for a 61-year-old Detroit resident turned into a violent carjacking.
The victim drove his 2008 Jeep Patriot to the Amoco gas station at Fenkell Avenue, near Wyoming.
According to the criminal complaint, Around 5 a.m., after purchasing his coffee, he returned to his car. As he sat in the driver’s seat and prepared to close his door, an unknown male, later identified as Bryan Wilkins, forcibly reopened it. Wilkins pointed a handgun at the victim, “give me your keys and money.”
The victim exited the vehicle, but Wilkins continued to point the gun at him, prompting the victim to try and flee. Wilkins pursued him and hit the back of the head with his pistol.
On July 21, Detroit Police Department’s Commercial Auto Theft Section officers located the Jeep near Pierson Street and Eaton Avenue. They placed the vehicle under surveillance and eventually approached a male who exited it.
The suspect fled on foot but was apprehended after a brief chase. A Michigan State Police canine unit recovered a set of keys and a cellular phone along Wilkins’ escape path, which matched the victims car keys.
Evidence from Wilkins’ phone included incriminating texts sent shortly after the carjacking, suggesting he had used a Glock pistol to steal the vehicle. Wilkins’ criminal history includes previous convictions for carrying a concealed weapon, drug offenses. At the time of his arrest, Wilkins was on probation.
Wilkins now faces new charges related to the carjacking.
