Two Men Face Multiple Felony Charges Following Armed Carjacking in Grosse Pointe Woods

LANSING – Robert Bates, 37, of Detroit, and Skylar Carlisle, 28, of Eastpointe, were arraigned on July 30 in the Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Court before Judge Theodore Metry on multiple felony charges related to a Grosse Pointe Woods carjacking, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. On July 28, Bates and Carlisle allegedly carjacked a rented 2021 Cadillac Escalade from a man and his daughter at gunpoint before fleeing in a separate vehicle. The two men allegedly soon crashed that vehicle, and Bates and Carlisle were arrested at the scene by Grosse Pointe Woods Police.

“Armed, violent carjackings have no place in our communities, and our office remains committed to utilizing the Auto Fraud Task Force to target and dismantle auto theft operations across our state,” said Attorney General Nessel. “I am grateful to the Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe City, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Harper Woods police departments for their actions as well as the Michigan State Police Metro Detroit Auto-Theft Recovery Team, whose partnership is vital to prosecuting those who put the lives of Michigan residents at risk.”

"The swift police response and arrest of these suspects reflects the outstanding work of our officers and our law enforcement partners,” said Grosse Pointe Woods Director of Public Safety John G. Kosanke. "Carjacking is a serious and violent crime, and we will continue to pursue those who threaten the safety of our community. Thanks to the diligent work of investigators, those responsible for these carjackings are now facing criminal charges. These charges demonstrate our commitment to protecting our residents and holding violent offenders accountable."

"Auto theft is often a dangerous crime, one that rarely stops with just stealing a vehicle," said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police. “We remain committed to making our communities safer and know our success relies on cooperation like we have seen in these cases.”

Bates has been charged with:

• One count of Carjacking, a potential life sentence offense;
• One count of Third-Degree Fleeing and Eluding, a 5-year felony;
• One count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon, a 5-year felony;
• One count of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, a 5-year felony;
• Three counts of Felony Firearm with Second Offense Notice, a 5-year felony;
• One count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, a 4-year felony; and
• One count of Altering ID Marks on a Firearm, a 2-year felony.

He is charged as a Habitual Offender – Fourth Offense, which carries enhanced penalties.

Carlisle has been charged with:

• One count of Carjacking, a potential life sentence offense;
• One count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon, a 5-year felony;
• One count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, a 4-year felony;
• One count of Altering ID Marks on a Firearm, a 2-year felony; and
• Two counts of Felony Firearm, a 2-year felony.

This case is being handled by the Department of Attorney General’s Auto Fraud Task Force (AFTF). In January 2025, Attorney General Nessel expanded the Department’s Auto Insurance Fraud Unit, transforming it into the AFTF to reflect its broadened mission to combat both auto insurance fraud and large-scale criminal auto theft operations. As part of its expansion, AFTF has partnered with the Michigan State Police Metro Detroit Auto-Theft Recovery Team (MSP MDART), embedding a dedicated prosecutor within MSP MDART to pursue high-level auto theft rings operating in Metro Detroit.

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Please note: For all criminal proceedings, a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.