Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Dearborn Police Arrest Suspect in Family Dollar Double Homicide

Editor's note: This story will be updated as more information from the police is made available.

2:48 p.m.:

A 34-year-old Dearborn man will be arraigned on charges stemming from the double homicide of two Family Dollar employees that occurred on July 15.

Lavere Bryant will be arraigned today at 4 p.m. in Dearborn's 19th District Court in front of Chief Judge Sam Salamey on two counts of first degree murder, two counts of felony murder, one count unlawful imprisonment, one count armed robbery, felon in possession of a firearm and felony firearm.

"The members of this department worked tirelessly and around the clock in an exemplary fashion to bring closure to this case in the finest tradition of delivering superior public service and earning the public's trust every day in everything we do," Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said. "In addition, I would like to express my profound appreciation to our local, county, state and federal law enforcement partners who participated in the well-coordinated investigation that led to this arrest."

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy stated: “Everything about this case is extremely upsetting. This was not an easy case to put together. I commend all of the tenacity of the Dearborn Police Department and am grateful for the help from the public and media.”

2:30 p.m.:
WDIV Channel 4 is reporting that the Dearborn Police Department has a suspect in custody in connection to the murders of two employees at a Family Dollar store that occurred last week.

Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad's office could not confirm with Patch.com that a suspect has been arrested or arraigned on charges for the murders of Brenna Machus and Joseph Orlando.

A spokesperson for the chief said an arraignment hearing may be scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Orlando, 20, was found shot to death inside the store located at 22631 Michigan Ave. on July 16. Machus' body was found less than two miles from the store in a wooded area near the Southfield Freeway and Michigan Avenue on July 18.


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