Arrest Made In ‘Lapeer Days’ Assault

It was during Lapeer Days last year that the front man for the band The Calling, Alex Band, told police in Lapeer that he had been kidnapped and beaten. Last Friday the police arrested Christopher D. Gruno and arraigned him for armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and two counts of felony firearm.

Gruno is currently in the Lapeer County Jail, being held on $50,000 bond. Band had originally told police that he had been kidnapped, beaten, and robbed while walking to a convenience store for cigarettes. He originally claimed they took $400, but later claimed the amount was $1,200.

Witnesses report seeing Band and Gruno talking at Fat Boys Bar & Grill around 3am. Gruno has a history with the law. He was convicted of third-degree home invasion in May of 2002, and carrying a concealed weapon and attempted larceny of a building in Arenac County in December of 2003. If convicted of the current charges, he could face life in prison.