Police say robbery victim may also be potential suspect - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(02/14/13) - He was robbed at gunpoint in his Genesee County home - but police say this victim could also be a potential suspect.

It what's they discovered in his basement that caught investigators eyes - a sophisticated medical marihuana growing operation.

The robbery happened around 1 a.m. Thursday  in the 4300 block of North Duffield in Flushing Township.

Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell says the man, a 45-year-old Flushing Township resident, told police he's a license caregiver for two people. Under the law, he's allowed 72 plants - but they seized more than double that amount.

Detectives say two men armed with handguns and wearing bandanas covering part of their faces entered the home through an unlocked door in the garage.

The homeowner, his girlfriend and girlfriend's three daughters, ages 18, 16 and 14, were home at the time.

According to investigators, the armed men demanded money, took a long gun, six jars of marihuana and some jewelry. They also stole several marihuana plants.

Police say when they left the home, the man got in his car and followed them. That's when the suspects started shooting - one bullet went through his car windshield, grazing the victim's left forearm.

In the meantime, the daughters back at the home logged onto to Facebook to tell a friend to call 911. When he returned home, his girlfriend and her daughters drove to the hospital and called 911 again.

"Along with him being shot, you have very violent people coming into his house, we also have to deal with him as a potential suspect. What really concerns me is he put, and the girlfriend too, they put their children at risk," Pickell said. "Taking kids, young kids, one is 14, putting their lives at risk for your marihuana grow operation, you're inviting trouble,"

This is not the first time something like this has happened at the victim's home.

"He's had two prior incidents at his home. Same kind, which would indicate that it's well known in the community he has a grow operation and people are coming to rob him of his marihuana," Pickell said.

 It's still not clear if the victim and robbers know each other.

"The victim claims no, but we think he may know who they are," Pickell said.

The suspects left the scene in either a black or dark blue Grand Prix or Grand Am.