David Veselenak

Hometown Life

An armed robbery suspect wearing masks tried to rob several hotels in Livonia and is still on the loose after officials say he fired several shots on Merriman Road, police said Thursday.

Livonia police Capt. Robert Nenciarini said the suspect, who was wanted in the robbery of the Embassy Suites in Livonia earlier Thursday morning while wearing a clown mask, apparently tried to rob the Days Inn, 36655 Plymouth near Ann Arbor Road. Police said the suspect was wearing the same outfit, but may have had a "pumpkin" mask on at the time. Police then began a pursuit when the suspect reportedly pulled a gun out and attempted to shoot police.

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"We began a pursuit on Farmington. He went south on Merriman where he fired shots at us," Nenciarini said.

He said no one was injured after the shooting.

"We're actively looking for him," he said.

Police say the suspect was driving a "newer" royal blue Chevrolet Malibu without a license plate.

The incident forced the shutdown of Merriman Road from Joy to Plymouth and prompted Livonia Public Schools to go on lockdown.

"Our district was apprised of the police situation and took immediate measures to keep all students indoors until the all-clear was issued by the police department," read a letter sent out to parents. "Student safety is our No. 1 priority, and we are fortunate to work closely with the Livonia Police Department when public safety incidents occur in the area of our schools."

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Several residents who live along Merriman Road in Livonia heard the gunshots go off earlier in the morning. Jennifer Sanow said she had a contractor come to her house that morning to work on her cable.

"He actually almost got shot at," she said. "He had to duck back into the car."

Sanow said she saw the suspect driving down the road, speeding even for that stretch of Merriman.

"I just heard the gunshots and opened the door immediately, which is probably not the best thing to do," she said. "He was probably going 90 m.p.h. He was going so fast."

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Livonia police at 734-466-2470.

Contact reporter David Veselenak: 734-678-6728 or dveselenak@hometownlife.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidVeselenak