A local trucking company owner has officially been named in connection with the demolition of a Detroit house owned by state Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo and could face criminal charges but the explanation of what happened remains a mystery.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig said Wednesday that Sherman Gipson, owner of Gipson Brothers Trucking of southwest Detroit, has told police he was responsible for the demolition, which Gay-Dagnogo has said was a surprise to her and was not authorized.

Craig said investigators were able to trace the demo to Gipson thanks to a small piece of evidence left at the west-side site: A label with Gipson's name on it.

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Craig said investigators also were able to retrieve a video from a neighborhood Project Green Light location that had surveillance footage of a vehicle believed to be connected to the demolition.

But from there, the story becomes confusing.

Earlier this year, Gay-Dagnogo's house, at 14567 Minock St. near Evergreen Road and Fenkell Avenue, was damaged after the abandoned home next door to hers caught on fire.

During an afternoon news conference Wednesday, Craig said police learned that after the fire, Gay-Dagnogo sought quotes from different companies to renovate her house or demolish it.

Craig said police were unaware of this information 11 days ago when they first started investigating the mysterious demolition.

"Had we gotten information that there were bids solicited, we probably would have located that suspect within 24 to 48 hours,” Craig said.

As police narrowed their focus, they identified Gipson as the contractor responsible for the demolition and also as one of the contractors that had submitted a bid to demolish it.

“At this point in our continuing investigation, it is alleged that Gipson demolished the residence without the approval of the state rep. or anyone she authorized to solicit the bids,” Craig said. “There is no evidence that state Representative Gay-Dagnogo knew who was responsible for the demolition or that she gave the order for the demolition.”

Police officials said they were aware that Gay-Dagnogo had reached out to one contractor, Motor City Blightbusters, to inquire about an estimate to repair or demolish the home. But investigators said they were unaware of other companies that the state representative had been in communication with, including one that had direct communication with Gipson.

Gay-Dagnogo, however, told the Free Press after Craig's news conference that she did inform police of all of the companies she had been in touch with. She also expressed frustration with the department.

"I think it's ridiculous and to me, it's intentionally trying to create an element of blame somewhere other than themselves or really getting to the bottom of this," Gay-Dagnogo said. "I shared with them from day one, every person I was interfacing with" and sought bids from.

Craig reiterated that Gay-Dagnogo had nothing to do with the actual demolition.

"She may have inquired, may have sought out a bid but she never gave the approval," Craig said. "So this contractor, Gipson, took it upon himself. ... It wasn't a mistake. He didn't use the word mistake, just that he wasn't given the go-ahead."

Gay-Dagnogo said Wednesday that she has more questions than answers at this point. She told reporters that she has reached out to the FBI, hoping the agency will launch its own investigation.

"I think there needs to be greater investigation," Gay-Dagnogo said. "None of it makes any sense to me. I do have my concerns."

Police will submit a warrant request within the next two days to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office seeking charges against Gipson, the chief said. Gipson could be charged with malicious destruction of property over $20,000. Craig said Gipson also did not obtain permits, as required under city ordinance.

Gipson did not respond to a Free Press request for comment. A lawyer who has represented Gipson in past matters said he was not involved with the current case.

Staff writer Gina Kaufman contributed to this report.

Kat Stafford is the Detroit government watchdog reporter for the Free Press, covering city issues and the community, and an Ida B. Wells investigative fellow with Type Investigations. Contact her at kstafford@freepress.com or 313-223-4759.