Canton Resident, Detroit Police Officer Charged for Several Local Robberies

Detroit Police Officer and Canton resident Clifton Whatley was arraigned in court Thursday for allegedly organizing several robberies in Wayne County, according to an article in the Observer & Eccentric.

One of the robberies Whatley is suspected of organizing is the Feb. 6 armed robbery of the Family Dollar on Joy Road in Canton.

According to the Observer & Eccentric, Whatley, 34, is also a suspect in robberies in Taylor, Westland, Harper Woods and Melvindale that have occurred during the past year. A second suspect, Layman D. Armstrong, was also arraigned Thursday.

Whatley has been a police officer since 2000 and now faces charges of armed robbery, bank robbery, unlawful imprisonment, conducting a criminal enterprise, and felony firearm, according to the article.

According to WDIV-Channel 4, Whatley is accused of using his position as a police officer and family connections to orchestrate the crimes.

According to WDIV, Whatley denies having any roll in the crimes.

Whately is due back in court on April 8 and faces life in prison if convicted.