A Texas man, Terrance Sandles, 46, has been arrested in Michigan for allegedly shooting two men at a car dealership and robbing the business. Sandles, who was reportedly unhappy with a vehicle he had purchased, was living in a hotel in Romulus, Michigan, after evading police in Texas on unrelated charges, according to Macomb County authorities.
Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide revealed during a Tuesday press conference that Sandles had visited the Star Auto dealership on November 7 to confront the owner, Marvan Batoo, 40, about a 2007 GMC Hummer he had recently bought for $3,000. The disagreement between the two men, which was recorded on surveillance video, escalated when Sandles allegedly shot Batoo and a customer, Ghaith Baban, 48, who was in a meeting with Batoo.
Following the alleged shooting, Sandles is accused of robbing the dealership of an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. The entire incident, from Sandles entering the dealership to the alleged shooting and his departure, was captured on surveillance footage, according to Shelide.
The victims were shot at close range, with Shelide stating that Sandles “went in to kill that man, the owner, and Mr. Baban happened to be there.” The bodies of Batoo and Baban were discovered by a dealership employee returning from a delivery.
License plate reader cameras in the vicinity of Star Auto helped authorities identify the vehicle Sandles was seen entering after the alleged shooting. This led to Sandles being linked to the registered owner of the vehicle and subsequently located on November 8 at his Romulus hotel using cellphone data.
Upon searching Sandles’ hotel room, police found two guns, one of which is believed to be the murder weapon, and the allegedly stolen cash. Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido also reported the discovery of a significant amount of cocaine.
Sandles was arrested and is currently being held without bond at the Macomb County Jail. He faces charges including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed robbery, one count each of delivery and manufacture of controlled substances, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, carrying a concealed weapon, and seven felony firearm charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 24.