Monroe County sheriff identifies suspect in Dunham's Sports robbery
A man with a history of committing armed robberies is sought by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in connection with the armed robbery Thursday of a Frenchtown Township sporting goods store.
Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough is asking for the public's assistance in finding Ray Edward Vanlandingham, 55, who has been identified as the suspect in the robbery of Dunham's Sports, 2149 N. Telegraph Road. Detectives believe Vanlandingham is in the Monroe and Frenchtown Township area.
People should call 911 immediately if they see Vanlandingham, but they should not approach him or take action on their own, a news release from the sheriff's office said.
"Vanlandingham has a history of violent crimes and should be considered armed & dangerous," the release said.
According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, Vanlandingham absconded on parole in April. He was convicted in November 2002 of armed robbery and second-offense felony firearms in Wayne County and sentenced to up to 35 years in prison. While he was in prison in Chippewa County in 2017, he was convicted of conspiracy to bring contraband into prison and sentenced to up to 7 years and 6 months in prison. He has prior convictions in 1991 for armed robbery and felony firearms.
Vanlandingham is described as an older, white man, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall with a thin build. He was described as having a “very tan” complexion. The suspect has short hair and was wearing a black T-shirt, a gray hat and dark pants.
At about 6:15 p.m. Thursday, a white man entered Dunham's Sports, approached the cash register, and asked for an item, a news release from the sheriff's office said. As the clerk began to ring up the suspect, the register opened and the suspect produced a firearm. The suspect stole an undisclosed amount of money from the register then fled the store southbound on foot.
Deputy Lewis responded to the scene with his police service dog, Bayne, and began tracking the suspect, the release said.
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"After an extensive track, the suspect could not be located," the release said.
The incident remains under investigation by Deputy Dominic Flint of the sheriff's office's Uniformed Services Division, along with Detective Robert Blair of the Detective Bureau. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or contact the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at 734-240-7530.
Anonymous tips can be called to Crime Stoppers at 800-SPEAKUP (800-773-2587) or can be submitted on their website, www.1800speakup.org.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County sheriff identifies suspect in Dunham's Sports robbery
