Chad W. Stokes

Suicide

According to officials, a man entered the Central Savings Bank in Rudyard at around 2:50 p.m. brandishing a handgun. Dressed all in black with sunglasses and a black hat, the man allegedly collected more than $20,000 and left. Tellers called 911 and provided a description of the man. Trooper Chris MacMaster stopped Chad W. Stokes along southbound I-75 near the M-134 juncture, approximately 15 miles south of Rudyard. Police did not have a good description of the other--only of the driver--but police said MacMaster noted Stokes dark clothing and demeanor and decided to initiate the traffic stop. According to police, Stokes initially held both hands out the window, as MacMaster approached with his gun drawn. Stokes then allegedly withdrew one of his hands. MacMaster said he backed off to wait for other officers, then heard a gunshot and discovered that Stokes had taken his own life with a 9 mm Ruger.