New pictures released in WSU cop killing; reward raised
A picture of a pair of black gloves, a yellow flashlight and the blue bicycle allegedly belonging to the killer of a Wayne State University police officer were released Friday and the reward more than doubled in hopes of generating tips leading to an arrest.
The reward fund in the killing of Collin Rose grew to $32,500. The fund had $15,000 in it before the donations Friday. DTE’s Chief Security Officer Michael Lynch announced the utility company was matching the original $15,000 reward. And, Crime Stoppers of Michigan was adding $2,500.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms had given $10,000 and the Detroit Dog Rescue, where Rose’s fiance is a staff member, had given $5,000.
“DTE Energy is shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Sgt. Collin Rose,” said Lynch during a news conference with Detroit Police Chief James Craig at Detroit Police headquarters Friday.
Wayne State University Police Chief Anthony Holt says he is confident the person responsible will be caught. Craig said tips are coming in .
“I believe we will find (Rose’s killer). It’s just a matter of time,” Craig said. “We’re about the business of finding a cop killer.”
Detroit police released a video Thursday of a suspect riding the bike around the time the 29-year-old K-9 handler was killed. Craig said Friday the bike had been handled or ridden by “several individuals” including the former suspect.
He defended the police investigation that led to the arrest of DeAngelo Davis, 31, who had charges against him dismissed this week.
The Detroit police chief said his department had “probable cause” to arrest Davis, but the “investigation went into another direction,” and he was released after charges were dismissed against him.
“We knew we had probable cause to arrest,” Craig said. “We did that. He was subsequently charged. The investigation did not come to a halt at the time of the arrest. We follow the evidence. We follow and seek the truth. In doing so our investigation started going into a different direction.”
Craig said police told prosecutors they were finding “some discrepancies” in the investigation and a decision was made between prosecutors and investigators that Davis “should not be charged”
Rose was shot in the head on Lincoln and Brainard while investigating thefts from vehicles in the area Nov. 22. Craig said the area has a “prime” location where there had been thefts from vehicles . There were arrests made a day before Rose was shot and killed.
Davis’ arrest and the charges, including murder, against him were blasted Friday by the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality.
“The Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality is outraged at the false arrest and subsequent imprisonment of DeAngelo Davis, who was released due to a complete lack of evidence,” according to a statement Friday from spokesman Kenneth Reed. “A tragic rush to judgment has occurred due to the continuing tendency of law enforcement to criminalize people of color, and particularly those who are plagued with mental illness.
“We demand the Detroit Police Department give an account to the people who pay their salaries: How long did they have the exculpatory video? What treatment did DeAngelo receive while he was in jail? And moreover, who will help Mr. Davis and his family cope with the trauma of his arrest, especially given his mental condition?”
The coalition also stated: “Citizens have indicated to us that they are fed up with the aggressive tactics of Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy and DPD treating potential witnesses as if they were suspects and knocking on doors. This behavior by police and the ongoing criminalization of our community must cease if we are ever to arrive at effective community policing.”
In a statement Friday night, Maria Miller, a spokeswoman for Worthy’s office, said: “Police and prosecutors have worked round the clock on this case. As a result of their relentless work Mr. Davis was eliminated as a suspect before he was to appear in court for his probable cause hearing and preliminary examination.”
Anyone with information about the case can contact (800) SPEAK UP, anonymously, or (888) ATF-TIPS.
bwilliams@detroitnews.com
(313) 222-2027
Staff Writer Charles E. Ramirez contributed.