Mt. Clemens, MI – A 62-year-old Detroit man is behind bars after a wild crime spree stretched across multiple cities, ending with a police chase, vehicles rammed, and a Warren K9 struck.
Prosecutors say it all began on Friday, September 12, 2025, when Karl Williams, Sr. stole a running GMC Acadia in Oak Park. From there, Williams robbed a Walgreens on Lahser in Southfield, getting away with nothing more than cigarettes.
Williams then picked up three companions and together they allegedly planned to rob a car wash on 8 Mile in Warren. While staking out the business, Warren police spotted the stolen Acadia. Multiple marked patrol cars boxed the vehicle in with lights flashing.
Instead of surrendering, Williams tried to squeeze the Acadia between two police cars, smashing into both. Officers scrambled to protect K9 Diezel as the SUV plowed forward. An officer fired one shot, hitting a passenger in the lower back. Williams then accelerated directly toward an officer and his K9, striking the dog before speeding away at over 100 mph down 8 Mile Road.
The chase ended only when Williams crashed into a median during a turn attempt. Officers arrested Williams and all three passengers on the spot.
On Monday, September 15, Williams was arraigned in the 37th District Court in Warren before Judge Michael Chupa. He faces 12 felonies and one misdemeanor, including conspiracy to commit armed robbery, felonious assault, fleeing police, and six counts of felony firearm. As a habitual fourth-time offender, Williams faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years if convicted of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
Judge Chupa set bond at $750,000 cash/surety and ordered a GPS tether if released. Williams remains in the Macomb County Jail with a probable cause conference set for Tuesday, September 23.
His passengers – Shamari Smith, Frank Durham, and Timothy Moultrie – were also charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery which could land them in prison for life if convicted.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said:
“These are serious charges, and while the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, the conduct alleged shows a complete disregard for the law. Our office will not tolerate this kind of behavior, and we intend to pursue the case with the full measure of the law.”
