Meijer Worker Says Thief Pulled Knife On Her: Royal Oak Police

ROYAL OAK, MI — Police in Royal Oak are looking for a man accused of threatening a worker at the Meijer store with a knife Wednesday after she confronted him about self-scanning, but not paying for, two sets of speakers, according to a news release.

“When the employee confronted the suspect, he pulled a large kitchen-style knife from his shorts and held it at his side,” police said of the incident, which occurred at 4:11 a.m. at the Meijer store, 5150 Coolidge Highway.
The employee immediately backed away and attempted to use her cell phone to call for help.

“While she was calling, the suspect grabbed her phone, threw it to the floor, and fled the store,” the release continued. “The suspect didn’t say anything during the encounter and no one was injured.”

The suspect left through the doors on the southeast side of the store and drove toward Coolidge Highway in a dark-colored pickup of an unknown make and model, police said.

He was described as a black male, approximately 40 year-old, with a medium build. He was wearing a white baseball hat with a black rim, white T-shirt, jean shorts and white shoes. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect is asked to call Lt. Dave Clemens at (248) 246-3456.

Fast Food Fight

Police are also investigating a report of a fight over a fast-food order at Burger King, 31456 Woodward Ave., about 3 p.m. on Sept. 17.

A customer told police she was assaulted by an employee of the restaurant in an argument over her food order. The customer said she began filming the employee with her cell phone, and the employee knocked it out of her hand.

Police say they’re investigating.

Also on the blotter for the week of Sept. 15-22:

Breaking and Entering

600 block of Lockwood, 9-20-16 – 9-21-16, 6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.: Complainant reported an unknown suspect entered his unlocked garage and stole a B&D lawn mower, weed trimmer, leaf blower, Craftsman power washer, Hitachi miter saw, jigsaw, vice, cordless drill, and other miscellaneous items.

Larceny

3417 Rochester Rd. (Miners Den), 9-15-16, 5:50 p.m. – 6:19 p.m.: Complainant reported three (3) unknown female suspects entered the store and selected several pieces of jewelry to purchase. All of the items were placed on the counter. When they were advised of the cost of the items, one of the subjects stated they needed to go to an ATM to withdraw more cash to pay for the jewelry and all three left the store. The following morning, the manager noticed two (2) necklaces and two (2) bracelets were missing and reported the theft.

Larceny from an Automobile

8450 W. Ten Mile Rd. (Detroit Zoo), 9-18-16, 3:00 p.m. – 5:24 p.m.: Complainant reported he parked his car in the parking structure. When he returned he discovered an unknown suspect had stolen the license plate from his vehicle.
316 E. Eleven Mile Rd. (Farmers Market), 9-18-16, 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.: Complainant reported an unknown

suspect stole a wooden crate from a rental vehicle he had parked in the municipal lot at the Farmers Market. 16-33533

Malicious Destruction of Property

600 block of N. Campbell Rd. 9-17-16 – 9-18-16, 1:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m.: Complainant reported she parked her 2015 Chrysler on the street. When she returned she discovered an unknown suspect had scratched and dented her vehicle.

Arrests

• Three (3) Felony Warrant
• Three (3) Misdemeanor Warrant
• Five (5) Probation Violation
• Two (1) Passing Counterfeit U.S. Currency
• Three (3) Operating While Intoxicated
• Five (5) Drove While License Suspended
• Two (2) Drove While License Suspended & Marijuana Possession
• One (1) Drove While License Suspended & Misdemeanor Warrant
• One (1) Drove While License Suspended, Possession of Marijuana, & Misdemeanor Warrant
• One (1) Operating Under the Influence of Drugs, Heroin Possession, & Crack Possession
• Four (4) Possession of Marijuana
• One (1) Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Narcotic Paraphernalia, & Possession of a Controlled Substance
• One (1) Public Intoxication
• Two (1) Assault and Battery
• One (1) Resisting/Obstructing a Police Officer & Felony Warrant
• One (1) Resisting Officer
• One (1) Fraud

Total Arrests: 35

Image: Surveillance photos of suspect in incident at Meijer store via Royal Oak Police Department