Manassas Man Punches Store Employee In Face Over Car Keys: Police

MANASSAS, VA — A Giant employee was punched in the face Monday evening after she refused to give her car keys to an acquaintance who showed up at the grocery store demanding money and the keys, the Prince William County Police Department said Tuesday. The victim, a 29-year-old woman, reported minor injuries to the police.

At 6 p.m. Monday, Prince William County police officers went to the Giant Food at at 8025 Sudley Rd. in Manassas to investigate an assault. The victim reported to police that she was approached by an acquaintance while working at the store. During the encounter, the suspect demanded the victim’s money and her vehicle.

The woman initially denied the request, but the suspect, indentified as Michael Anthony Taylor Jr., 35, then became disorderly, the police said. Eventually, the victim gave Taylor money while continuing to refuse him access to the vehicle.

At one point, the accused grabbed the victim and punched her in the face, according to the police. After the assault, the accused took the victim’s keys and fled the scene in her vehicle.

Following the investigation, officers obtained arrest warrants for Taylor. On Tuesday, officers located Taylor at a home on Ashland Avenue in Manassas. As officers attempted to detain him, Taylor allegedly actively resisted and refused to follow the officer’s commands. After a brief struggle, Taylor was taken into custody without further incident, the police said.

While investigating the incident, police officers also determined Taylor did not have a valid driver’s license.

Taylor, of Manassas, was charged with robbery, grand larceny, domestic assault and battery, obstruction of justice, and driving without a valid license. He is being held in jail without bond.