Traverse City Armed Robbery Case Turns Into Drug Trafficking Investigation

A growing multi-agency investigation has now led to the arrest of six people.

Exclusive video surveillance shows the three people Traverse City police arrested Sunday after they allegedly broke into a home on Barlow Street.

Since then, there more people have been arrested in the case.

9&10’s Caroline Powers and photojournalist Jeremy Erickson have more details on how police are still searching for a fourth suspect.

Traverse City police say after a home a Barlow Street was broken into and a man was assaulted, their investigation quickly showed that drug trafficking may be taking place here, leading to more arrests.

“Narcotics detectives were contacted. We believe that meth and heroin are involved in this case,” says Traverse City Police Captain Jim Bussell.

Traverse City police say they returned to a home on Barlow Street Sunday evening after discovering there was more to the incident from earlier in the afternoon.

“The victim’s on parole so that was reported to the parole department,” says Capt. Bussell. “Made the determination that he should be picked up for a parole violation. It keeps taking different twists and turns. As we get into it we discover more information, more facts, which leads us to more witnesses.”

Police now say the man inside the home was assaulted with brass knuckles, not stabbed.

Video surveillance from Roy’s General Store shows a man ditching them on the side of the building before he was arrested Sunday.

“We have recovered some weapons, including brass knuckles,” Capt. Bussell says.

Police also returned to the home Monday afternoon to find another man who broke into the house.

“We believe is more than likely related to this incident and was in the process of prying open a safe,” explains Capt. Bussell.

People who live on Barlow Street say the spike in crime has them on edge.

“Keep my doors locked, just be really leery and anything that looks suspicious I just keep my eye out for it. Just being aware,” says Austin Alexander.

Police are still looking for Shawn Sabourin who they say is the fourth suspect from Sunday’s assault.