DTE Energy Worker Robbed At Gunpoint On Detroit's West Side

DETROIT (WWJ) - Officials say a DTE Energy worker was robbed at gunpoint on Detroit's west side as he was guarding a live wire that was brought down by high winds.

The incident happened around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday on Howell Street, near Joy Road and Livernois.

Michael Lynch, DTE Energy director of security, said the suspect went inside yellow caution tape that was blocking off a live power line and confronted the worker, who was only carrying a couple bucks.

"Somebody pulled a gun on one of our employees in order to get two dollars," Lynch told WWJ's Scott Ryan.

The worker was not injured and was able to leave the scene and call police.

Attacking a utility worker in Michigan is a felony. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.

"What this guy did, unknowingly, he stirred up another kind of a storm because we are going to be relentless at finding out who he is," said Lynch.

No information on the suspect was released.

Lynch said DTE does everything to make sure this kind of incident doesn't happen, but there's only so much they can control.

"Our employees are instructed not to carry a lot of money and they don't," he said. "They should not be a target. But in this case, the criminal took that action."

Anyone with information is asked to contact DTE at 313-235-9113 or police at 313-267-4600.