A 41-year-old Detroit man was arrested on March 18 and is facing charges in connection with bank robberies in Sterling Heights and Lathrup Village earlier this month.

The Detroit office of the FBI released a statement detailing the arrest of Dorian Trevor Sykes, who allegedly robbed the Credit Union One in Sterling Heights on March 6 and the Chase Bank in Lathrup Village on March 12.

This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

“Bank robberies are serious federal violent crimes that endanger and often traumatize the patrons and the employees of the bank,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Cheyvoryea Gibson. “Mr. Sykes allegedly threatened force against employees if his demands were not met, and it goes without saying that the FBI will not tolerate this level of violence in our community.

“With the help of our law enforcement partners, we hope that Mr. Sykes will face the appropriate consequences for his actions.”

According to court records, on March 6 , at approximately 11:50 a.m.., Sykes allegedly entered Credit Union One at 9000 15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights, Michigan, wearing a COVID face mask, He approached the counter, retrieved a piece of paper from a folder and handed it to the teller.

After the teller was not able to read the note, the subject stated, “This is a robbery,” and demanded that the teller give him “big bills”.

The teller handed the robber approximately $10,169 which the robber then grabbed and fled the bank.

On March 12 at approximately 4:40 p.m., Sykes allegedly entered a Chase Bank at 18100 11 Mile Road in Lathrup Village, approached a teller and handed her a withdrawal slip on which was written: Give me the money….I have a gun…I will kill everyone in here.

The robber then pointed to his right side, implying that he had a weapon. The teller handed the robber approximately $3,400 and the robber took the money and left the bank.

Witness statements and surveillance camera footage suggest the March 12 robber’s physical description matches that of the March 6 robber.

“This arrest is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners,” said Capt. Mario Bastianelli of the Sterling Heights Police Department. “Through diligent investigative work and coordinated intelligence sharing, we were able to bring this suspect to justice and prevent further criminal activity.”

Sykes is on federal supervised release since February 2024, arising out of a conviction associated with a bank robbery in 2020.

Sykes appeared in federal court on March 18. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for bank robbery.

The criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court by FBI task force officer Matthew Willard states that fingerprints found at the Credit Union One match Sykes and that surveillance camera video captured Sykes leaving the Chase Bank on March 12 and getting into a white Rolls Royce SUV that was parked and running behind a nearby condominium complex.

The complaint also states that cell phone records indicate Sykes was in the area of the Credit Union One and Chase Bank locations on the days of the robberies at the times that those robberies took place.

According to Sykes’ probation officer, the complaint says, he has been staying at the MGM Grand Hotel in Detroit and was receiving vouchers from the hotel to stay there free of charge.

Sykes served 20 years in federal prison on charges connected with a bank robbery in 2002.

He is an author of a series of crime novels set in Detroit. His 2021 release, “The Good Life,” has a five-star rating on Amazon. His latest effort, “Born to Die,” is set to be released in May.

His Amazon biography states: “Dorian Sykes was recently released from prison after serving more than 10 years behind bars. During the time of his lengthy incarceration, he penned several highly notable street novels including his Going All Out trilogy. Currently residing in Detroit, Sykes is constantly working to give the readers new, hot material.”

The FBI said the investigation into the bank robberies is part of the collaborative efforts of the FBI Macomb County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force; Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Utica, Eastpointe, Livonia, Detroit, Redford and Lathrup Village police departments; Macomb County Sheriff’s Office; U.S. Border Patrol; and Michigan State Police.