Cops: $500K armored truck theft in Greektown suspicious

Tresa Baldas | Detroit Free Press

A thief disguised as a security guard hit the jackpot outside the Greektown Casino Friday morning when he stole several bags of loot from an armored truck that was parked along the curb, making off with more than $500,000, according to Detroit police.

No one was hurt. There were no weapons, and no threats were made, police said.

"The FBI has taken the lead on the investigation because it seems to be of a suspicious nature," Assistant Police Chief Steve Dolunt said, without elaborating. "Detroit police are working with the FBI on this heist. We're still looking at video to see how this person escaped."

According to police, the theft happened around 8 a.m. at the intersection of Beaubien and Monroe. A black male wearing a Loomis Armored security guard shirt approached the armored vehicle, took bags of money out of the back and took off, police said.

A source familiar with the case said the driver of the armored vehicle thought the thief was a coworker because he was wearing a uniform shirt.

FBI media spokeswoman Jill Washburn said the FBI is investigating, but she declined further comment, citing agency policy.

Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com