Crime & Safety

Detroit Teen Charged with Armed Robbery of Nun

The Grosse Pointe Park judge set a $50,000 bond in the attempted robbery of a nun at St. Clare of Montefalco church.

Detroit teenager Raylon Vandie Wright was charged Friday with armed robbery in the attempted robbery of a nun from . 

The 18-year-old man made his first appearance before a judge in court Friday.

Wright approached the following a service, brandished a gun and demanded money, according to police. The nun didn't have any money, and police said Wright patted down the exterior pockets of her clothing, forced her into a bathroom and then eventually left the church. The nun was not physically injured during the crime. 

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Officers arrested Wright on Thursday afternoon at Three Mile and East Warren roads after receiving a call-in tip. The caller was prompted by Crime Stoppers signs tacked on telephone poles on Warren and Alter roads, Lt. James Smith said. 

During the investigation, the weapon used during the crime was recovered. Smith said the search of a Grosse Pointe Shores home earlier this week for a weapon used during a robbery was not related to this robbery. 

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Smith declined to say what the motive was, but he said it wasn't drugs. 

Wright's mother, Dinah Wright, attended his arraignment Friday. She said her son is a good kid who made a bad decision. She said he committed the crime because he was hungry. There was no food at their home, Dinah Wright said, and he had stopped attending high school because she couldn't afford to buy him clothes to wear to school. "He feels remorseful," she said afterward, noting the weapon was a toy gun. 

During the brief hearing, Wright was quiet and nearly whispered any answers to the judge. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison. 

Wright does not have any criminal history, and Judge Carl F. Jarboe set a bond of $50,000. He will make his next appearance in court March 23 for a pre-trial conference, at which time a court-appointed attorney will represent him.

After the hearing Smith said police are pleased they were able to solve this crime so quickly. This is the only robbery in the Park this year. Last year, the Park had two robberies, both of which were solved.


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