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Press Release

An Inkster Resident Charged with Bank Robbery

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Michigan

DETROIT, MI – An Inkster resident appeared in federal court this afternoon in Detroit on charges stemming from a bank robbery in Dearborn, Michigan, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.


Joining United States Attorney Dawn Ison in the announcement is Acting Special Agent in Charge Josh Hauxhurst, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division and Issa Shahin, Chief, Dearborn Police Department.


Appearing was Charles William Woolery, age 52.


According to court records, on March 2, 2022, at approximately 3:04 p.m., Woolery, wearing a tan Carhartt suit, black beanie hat, and a black facemask, entered the Dearborn Federal Savings Bank, located at 22315 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, approached a victim teller, handed her a note and gestured to his hip as if he had a weapon. The note demanded the teller to “smile” and put money in a bag or Woolery would “kill everyone.” The teller, fearing for her safety, placed $1,690 in a black bag and handed it to Woolery. Woolery then fled the bank on foot and was later arrested by Dearborn police officers, without incident, in a Port-a-John located in the parking lot of the Hampton Inn on Michigan Avenue. Officers found the $1,690 in the front of a Lions’ hoodie that Woolery was wearing. Officers also found the black beanie hat, black facemask, the robbery note, a full tan Carhartt style suit, and tan gloves like those used in the bank robbery in the Port-a-John where Woolery was found hiding.


A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, determinations will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.


If convicted, Woolery faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for bank robbery. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.


This case is being investigated by special agents of the FBI along with the assistance of the Dearborn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rosemary Gardey is prosecuting the case.

Updated March 26, 2022