News Summary
Dorian Trevor Sykes, a 41-year-old author from Detroit, was arrested for allegedly committing two bank robberies within a week. Sykes managed to steal over $13,000, using a rented luxury vehicle for his getaway. With a history of crime and multiple prior convictions, his latest arrest raises questions about his future and literary career. Sykes faces potential additional prison time as investigators piece together evidence linking him to the heists, merging his reality with the fiction found in his own novels.
Detroit Author and Serial Bank Robber Dorian Trevor Sykes Arrested Following Two Recent Heists
In a story that sounds like it could be ripped straight from one of his own crime novels, Dorian Trevor Sykes, a 41-year-old author from Detroit with quite the colorful past, was arrested recently after allegedly pulling off two bank robberies within just a week. Sykes, who has penned at least nine crime fiction novels, finds himself in a situation that blurs the line between fiction and reality.
A Not-So-Glamorous Getaway
It all began on March 6, when Sykes allegedly made his move at Credit Union One in Sterling Heights, managing to walk away with a hefty sum of $10,169. Just six days later, he struck again, this time targeting Chase Bank in Lathrup Village, where he added another $3,400 to his take. In total, his bank heists racked up over $13,000.
But the thrill of the chase took a twist when Sykes attempted to flee the scene in a rented luxury vehicle—specifically a Rolls-Royce SUV. Unfortunately for him, his getaway wouldn’t be nearly as smooth as he might have envisioned.
A Long History with the Law
Dorian Trevor Sykes has quite a history with crime, with court records tracing back over 21 years. This isn’t his first rodeo in the world of bank robbery; he has five previous bank heists under his belt and has served over 20 years in federal prison. After being released in 2019, Sykes found himself struggling with homelessness before moving in with his aunt.
Since his release, Sykes attempted to find employment but faced significant hurdles because of his past, which has likely contributed to his recent return to criminal activities shortly after going free. This cycle of crime seems ingrained in his history—his 2002 conviction saw him helping steal almost $200,000 from a Fifth Third Bank. The U.S. Attorney has noted that Sykes has a blatant disregard for the law, indicating a troubling pattern for an individual who should have been focusing on rebuilding his life.
Crime Meets Detection
Witnesses were quick to recall spotting a black crossover vehicle associated with Sykes following his first robbery, igniting a police investigation that ultimately led them to the MGM Grand Detroit Casino. It became clear that technological sleuthing would play a significant role in the investigation. Investigators were able to confirm Sykes’s identity by matching fingerprint evidence with cellphone records that tracked his movements during the heists.
The Future is Uncertain
As he faces new criminal charges, Sykes may be looking at a possible additional 20 years in federal prison if convicted. Meanwhile, his literary career is now cast in a shadow of uncertainty. With his latest novel, titled “Born to Die,” set for release in May, it’s unclear if he will be out in time to promote it. His previous works include titles like “King of Detroit,” and “The Good Life,” but even those have only enjoyed modest success with around 2,500 copies sold each.
Surprisingly, the owner of Urban Books, which published several of Sykes’s novels, expressed disbelief at the extent of Sykes’s criminal history, showing that sometimes reality can outstrip even the wildest fiction. Sykes has made attempts to represent himself legally, though a Federal Community Defender has now stepped in to assist him.
Currently, Sykes remains in custody, ordered to be held without bond, as a detention hearing is set to determine the next steps in this intriguing case. What was once a bygone life of crime and creativity has swept back into the forefront, leaving many to wonder if Dorian Trevor Sykes will find redemption—or if he will be forever shackled by his own narrative.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Local Author Dorian Trevor Sykes Arrested Again
Additional Resources
- Detroit News
- Fox 2 Detroit
- Car Scoops
- CBS News Detroit
- MLive
- Wikipedia: Bank Robbery
- Google Search: Dorian Trevor Sykes
- Google Scholar: Dorian Sykes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bank Robbery
- Google News: Dorian Trevor Sykes
