Bookstore Theft Suspect Charged After Fight with Ferndale Cop

A 37-year-old Oak Park man faces felony charges after he fought with a Ferndale police officer responding to a bookstore theft.

Michael Kenneth Wells, 37, allegedly stole two books and then tried to disarm the Ferndale officer who responded to the incident Thursday evening, Ferndale Police detective Patrick Jones said.

Wells was arraigned Friday in on charges of attempting to disarm a police officer, a five-year felony; assaulting, resisting and obstructing a police officer, a two-year felony and/or $2,000 fine; and retail fraud, a misdemeanor that carries 93 days in jail and $500 fine.

Wells' bond was set at $400,500. Jones said he had not posted bond. Wells' next court day was set for 1 p.m. Thursday.

At 7:41 p.m. Thursday, Ferndale Police took a report that two books were stolen from the at 169 W. Nine Mile Rd. As the responding officer approached the area, he saw a man fitting the description of the suspect – who was last seen fleeing the area on foot – sitting in the covered bus stop at West Nine Mile Road and Woodward. The officer approached him.

"The suspect put his shoes on that he had taken off, picked up the two books, and ran at the officer in an attempt to flee on foot from the officer," Jones said. "The officer tackled the suspect back into the bus stop."

As the officer attempted to gain control of the suspect, the suspect grabbed the officer by the shirt and then began to pull at the officer's holstered handgun. "The officer’s belt and holster were turned 90 degrees to the front of the officer from the hip area," Jones said.

The officer then pulled his taser from the holster to subdue the suspect but the suspect began grabbing at the taser as well. 

"The officer struck the arms and head of the suspect in an attempt to release the grip of the suspect from the taser," Jones said. "The suspect released the taser and again grabbed at the officer's handgun."

An off-duty police officer from Harper Woods saw the Ferndale officer wrestling with the suspect and attempted to help. "The Harper Woods officer pried the suspect’s hands from the officer’s weapon, and assisted the Ferndale officer in handcuffing the suspect," Jones said.

Jones said the Ferndale officer, a six-year veteran of the force, suffered cuts and bruises to his hands, arms and elbow.