Police say they couldn’t have captured the man who pulled off a broad daylight robbery without the quick action of a witness.
Demetrius Emerson Broadnax, 35, was charged with strong-arm robbery after he allegedly followed a patron from the Greektown Casino in Detroit to the Independence Township Library on April 24.
The victim, a 45 year-old Warren man, told police he’d been playing blackjack at the Casino and had $465 in his pocket when he arrived at the library around 3:30 p.m., per his normal routine, to check email and ‘kill time? before going to a Piston’s game in Auburn Hills.
The man claimed he was getting out of his car at the library when someone grabbed him from behind, put him in a headlock and covered his mouth with gloved hands, making it difficult to breathe.
The assailant demanded money, and reached into the victim’s pocket after he claimed he had no cash, saying ‘I know you got money.?
The attacker then fled with money, a library card, a casino card and bank slip, leaving the victim with a small laceration on his forehead and a ripped pocket.
Nearby, a 68-year-old Springfield Township woman heard shouting and looked up in time to see a man run across the parking lot, jump into a vehicle and drive backward out of the parking lot to Clarkston Road.
According to police reports, the woman put her car in gear, gave chase and caught up with the vehicle long enough to get the license plate number.
‘We wouldn’t have found the responsible without her,? said Sgt. Matt Baldes of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Independence Township substation. ‘There was no connection to between the victim and the suspect, so her assistance was invaluable.?
Broadnax later arrived at the substation along with his pastor, after calling to say he wanted to turn himself in.
The suspect, who has no prior criminal record, told detectives he’d been at the casino gambling and admitted the habit has become a problem.
After losing $245 and feelingly increasingly distraught ‘over pending bills and harassing phone calls by collectors,? he spotted the victim in the casino parking lot and decided to follow the man.
Broadnax told police he took $80’not $465 like the victim claimed’and fled, but felt ‘sick? over his course of action and threw the money out the window of his car.
The pastor said Broadnax arrived at her home around 5:30 p.m. looking distraught and said he wanted to turn himself in.
‘He’s a victim of the economy and owes a lot of money,? Baldes said, noting Broadnax appeared genuinely remorseful during the interview with detectives. ‘Unfortunately, it’s not an excuse. He’ll be prosecuted like anyone else.?
Broadnax was jailed on $15,000 personal bond.