Man fatally shot 2 people over ‘lemon’ Hummer
Background: News footage of Terrance Sandles at his arraignment on Nov. 10 (WXYZ). Inset (left): Marvan Batoo (Facebook). Inset (right): Ghaith Baban (GoFundMe).
A Texas man who was reportedly unhappy with the vehicle he purchased from a Michigan car dealership is accused of killing two men and robbing the business.
Authorities in Macomb County announced the arrest of 46-year-old Terrance Sandles, who had been staying at a hotel in Romulus after allegedly fleeing police in Texas on unrelated charges.
At a press conference Tuesday, Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide said the incident occurred on November 7 at Star Auto Sales, where Sandles confronted 40-year-old Marvan Batoo, the dealership’s owner, over a recent $3,000 purchase of a 2007 GMC Hummer.
“He thought it was a lemon,” Chief Shelide said. Surveillance video reportedly captured the heated argument between the two men before Sandles allegedly pulled out a gun and opened fire, killing both Batoo and 48-year-old Ghaith Baban, a customer who was meeting with the owner at the time.
After the shooting, Sandles allegedly stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the dealership and fled. Investigators said his getaway vehicle, seen on camera, was key to tracking him down.
According to Chief Shelide, the attack was deliberate. “He went in to kill that man, the owner, and Mr. Baban happened to be there,” he said. Both victims were shot at point-blank range. Their bodies were discovered by another employee returning from a delivery.
Police used license plate reader cameras in the area to identify the car Sandles escaped in, leading them to the registered owner and, ultimately, to Sandles’ location. On November 8, officers found him at his Romulus hotel, where they discovered two firearms — one believed to be the murder weapon — as well as the stolen cash and what authorities described as a “large quantity of cocaine.”
Sandles was arrested and booked into the Macomb County Jail, where he remains held without bond. He faces a long list of charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed robbery, drug and weapons offenses, and seven felony firearm charges.
He was arraigned Monday in 41A District Court in Macomb County. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 24.
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