Grand Jury Indicts Pair for Canton Wingstop Robbery
Two men face federal charges following the armed robbery of a Canton restaurant earlier this fall.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Financial Crime
A federal grand jury has indicted Martell Laron Franklin and Devonte Jaier Ross on charges of interference with commerce by robbery. The indictment follows an incident at a Wingstop on Ford Road where employees were threatened and forced to open a safe.
Why it matters
The case highlights the federal prosecution of violent crimes involving businesses that engage in interstate commerce. Authorities are also seeking the forfeiture of any firearms or ammunition linked to the robbery if a conviction is secured.
A federal grand jury indictment was filed on October 14, 2026, in U.S. District Court in Detroit. Defendants Martell Laron Franklin and Devonte Jaier Ross remain in custody following their arrests on September 29, 2026.
The players
Martell Laron Franklin
He is one of the two individuals indicted by a federal grand jury for the armed robbery of a business in Canton.
Devonte Jaier Ross
He is a defendant in the federal case who was found with 288 dollars in cash at the time of his arrest.
The details
Investigators successfully linked the suspects to the crime by analyzing parole GPS tether data, license-plate reader hits, and surveillance footage. During the robbery, two masked men chased employees to the back of the building and forcibly opened the restaurant safe.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: The Wingstop on Ford Road was robbed at 1:41 a.m.
September 29, 2026: Martell Laron Franklin and Devonte Jaier Ross were taken into police custody.
October 14, 2026: The federal indictment was filed in U.S. District Court.
Legal Context
This case follows the established precedent of utilizing the Hobbs Act to prosecute local business robberies in federal court. By moving beyond local charges, this approach allows federal agencies to pursue stricter sentencing guidelines for crimes involving violence and commerce.
The use of advanced surveillance technologies to solve this crime underscores the ongoing monitoring of public spaces and travel routes by local law enforcement. Residents should be aware that police increasingly rely on GPS tether data and license-plate readers to investigate local offenses.
The takeaway
Businesses can take protective measures by reviewing their security camera placement and safe-access protocols. Prosecutors remain focused on linking evidence, such as recovered items from a suspects GPS-tracked path, to secure convictions in robbery cases.
Further reading
For additional context on regional judicial proceedings, visit the Financial Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wnem.
