Photo courtesy of Chozen Terrell-Hannah / TikTok.
TikTok star Chozen Terrell-Hannah was arrested on Feb. 23 for a string of armed robberies in the Detriot, Mich. area after FBI agents recognized him while watching his videos. Agents recognized Hannah by his white Nike sneakers with red trim and his pink-tipped hair.
The first robbery was committed at a 7-Eleven Benstein Road in Commerce Township on Dec. 1. The second robbery occurred on Jan. 13 at a Marathon gas station in Dearborn. The third robbery happened on Jan. 26 at the same 7-Eleven in Commerce Township.
The fourth robbery happened on Feb. 1 at the Old West Tobacco store on West Pontiac Trail in Novi. The alleged thief’s pink hair was visible during the last robbery despite the suspect wearing a black ski mask.
A black handgun was used in all four robberies and a black backpack with pink flowers. The robber also wore a black hoodie with black pants, a black ski mask and white sneakers with red trim.
Despite witnesses of all four robberies describing the suspect as a white man, the FBI suspected Hannah of the crimes after receiving a tip. The FBI task force noted Hannah’s light skin to explain the witnesses’ accounts.
“Based on my training and experience, I believe due to Terrell-Hannah’s light complexion, the victims of armed robberies, observing him under the circumstances and wearing the clothing described above, could describe him as either white or Black.”
The FBI began surveilling Hannah at his home in the Detroit suburb Redford Township on Feb. 9 and witnessed him visit a Pet Supplies Plus on Feb. 11. They obtained his telephone number from a police database and got a search warrant for the phone’s location data.
The FBI claimed that the data from Hannah’s phone was consistent with being in the geographic location of the armed robberies during the same time. The location data also showed up near a Pet Supplies Plus on Feb. 11, the same day the FBI witnessed Hannah visit the pet store. They also obtained a search warrant for his residence. A search of his home turned up a gun, white Nike’s and a black floral backpack.
“A search of the residence led to the seizure of items believed to be used in the armed robberies including a black Glock handgun, a black backpack with a floral pattern, a skeleton full body suit, and white Nike tennis shoes.”
According to the police, Hannah admitted to committing all four robberies after his arrest. The 22-year-old is being held on bond and faces up to 20 years in prison.