Teenagers accused of robbing pizza delivery driver return to court Thursday

By Kyle Feldscher Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Sat, May 5, 2012 : 4:08 p.m.

Note: Jeffrey Howell is 18 years old. The story originally stated he was 17. The two men accused of robbing one delivery driver and attempting to rob another will return to court next week, according to court records.

Anthony Demario Hugan

Courtesy of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office

Anthony Demario Hugan, 18, and Jeffrey Howell, 18, will both be back in court for hearings on May 10. Hugan will be facing a preliminary exam after his hearing was adjourned on Thursday. Howell is facing a pretrial hearing after his case was bound over to the Washtenaw County Trial Court Thursday morning, according to court records.

Both Hugan and Howell face a charge of armed robbery, two counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and attempted armed robbery. Howell stood mute at his preliminary exam and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf, according to a court official.

Hugan and Howell are accused of robbing a 38-year-old Ypsilanti man who was called to deliver a pizza at 1 a.m. April 12 in the 1000 block of Bluestem Lane, according to police.

The two teenagers allegedly flagged the delivery driver down, pointed a gun at him and stole cash and food before running from the area.

Jeffrey Howell

Courtesy of Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office

Police believe Hugan and Howell also set up a delivery driver from Happy Wok five days later. The delivery driver felt the situation was suspicious — the condominium at the address was abandoned and a “For Sale” sign was in the front yard — and returned to his car. A short time later, a man on a cellphone walked by the driver’s car and the driver noticed another man between units of the complex. Spooked, the driver took off and called police.

Hugan and Howell were arrested at a home in the 2700 block of Adrienne Drive on April 23.

If convicted, they both face a maximum of life in prison.

Tags: robbery,