Christopher Lee Bowens pleaded guilty earlier this month to felony carjacking for attempting in March to take a vehicle from an 81-year-old Korean War veteran. Bowens was identified and taken into custody by police on March 24 not far from the Mobil gas station at the intersection of Fort and Goddard streets.

Bowens, who has previous convictions for weapons and breaking and entering charges, surrendered without incident and admitted to having thrown into the creek a knife used in the attempt.

Police interviewed Barney Trusewicz, who resisted Bowens’ attempt to take his car, inside which was Trusewicz’s 78-year-old wife. Trusewicz struggled with Bowens, who then ran in the direction of Ecorse Creek. Witnesses confirmed to police that the tattoo-covered Bowens was the would-be carjacker.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

John K. Maranian was arraigned Thursday before 25th District Court Judge David Zelenak, and faces up to four years in prison if convicted of felonious assault.

Police were called to the 1700 block of Morris shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday, and were told by a crowd that had gathered at a street corner that Maranian stabbed a teenage neighbor with a sword estimated at three feet in length, and then ran into a house. Two women were believed to be in the house, and police set up a perimeter and spoke to witnesses.

A 17-year-old told police that earlier that day Maranian yelled at and tried to hit his sister with a sword; the teen confronted Maranian, and he and a friend were chased by the sword-swinging suspect. Police noted a 3-to 4-inch gash near the 17-year-old’s shoulder that was bleeding.

Two other witnesses told police they had witnessed Maranian chasing the teens, yelling “come back here” and swinging the sword.

After Maranian was back inside, a crowd gathered on the sidewalk, and Maranian opened the door at least once to yell at the gathered group. Not long after, two women who were inside the house walked outside and began yelling at the witnesses. Police spoke with them, at least one of whom did not cooperate with investigators and said she was asleep when everything happened.

One of the women told police that two children ages 5 and 8 were inside, as well as her boyfriend.

Maranian’s parents arrived at the house, and with the cooperation of Lincoln Park police called Maranian on the phone. After a brief conversation, Maranian exited and surrendered without incident. Police removed three swords from the house.

The children were placed in custody of their grandparents by Child Protective Services.

Maranian is scheduled for a preliminary exam May 22. Bond was set at $100,000 cash; if secured, Maranian is to have no contact with the complainant, is prohibited from consuming alcohol and may not possess a weapon of any kind.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

“I’ve talked with three residents today,” Krause said Thursday after a typical morning at city hall. “What was the topic? Blight. The long-term residents see the decline and the blight, and they want it arrested.”

One step toward that was taken last month, after a lengthy review process by building officials, city council approved 10 buildings for demolition. Last week council authorized the bid process to begin; it is expected to cost $80,000 to raze the 10 buildings, mostly houses and a few vacant businesses.

Building and Engineering Manager Dennis Chagash described the properties as “substandard,” vacant or abandoned structures that qualified as “dangerous” after years of neglect or damage.

Once approved, however, it will likely take at least six months before demolitions begin. Krause said that DTE Energy requires a half-year lead time before assuring that power is no longer connected. The waiting period caps a lengthy review process during which property or land owners were afforded every opportunity to restore the building themselves.

Still, Krause said the approvals are one part of an ongoing struggle to restore the city to its better days. The issue of blight shared top billing among candidates during last year’s election, and Krause said it remains a priority for her administration.

“The council and I have to really put our heads together and say ‘this is unacceptable,’” Krause said. “We’re on the right path, and we’re planning to get more homes on the demolition list next round. As far as I’m concerned it can’t go fast enough.”

By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK — Under semi-new management, the Lincoln Park Farmers Market returns today to its original home in the now-repaved Southfield Road municipal parking lot, ready for a summer season featuring Flower Days, veteran vendors and familiar customers.

Leslie Lynch-Wilson, who served as manager on behalf of the Lincoln Park Downtown Development Authority, said that the 2012 Market will operate under the supervision of newly-formed Friends of Lincoln Park Farmers Market.

“More people have become interested in the Market,” Lynch-Wilson said, which prompted the formation of new oversight and administration. Christopher Dardzinski, who was among the planners that organized a Lincoln Park Winter Market, will serve as president of the Friends group.

This will be the sixth year for the market, and Lynch-Wilson said that when it first opened there were few such produce outlets in Downriver communities, although the concept of locally-grown fruit and vegetable vendors has taken off in recent years.

“The popularity of farmers markets increased,” Lynch-Wilson said. “We were the first Downriver. Due to more markets coming about, it becomes more popular and more attention is placed on it.”

Last year, the market was held at Fort Park Boulevard and Philomene Street while the DDA repaved the Southfield Road parking lot. Attendance declined slightly last year, likely due to the relocation and smaller venue, although attendance reached as high as 400 customers. More than 5,000 shoppers a year visit the Market, Lynch-Wilson said.

Today’s Market kicks off at 11 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Sunday through October.

Lynch-Wilson said that the second week of the Market, May 13, will be “Flower Day,” and that additional special days and features are in the planning stages. Lynch-Wilson said that in addition to accepting Bridge cards and participating in
the Fair Food Network’s “Double Up Food Bucks” program — which provides Bridge card holders with $2 in tokens for every $2 spent — credit and debit cards will be accepted at the Market.

For more information on the Friends of Lincoln Park Farmers Market, visit the group’s Facebook page or call (734) 775-2267 or (313) 598-3137.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

Christopher Lee Bowens attempted in March to take a vehicle away from an 81-year-old Korean War veteran at the Mobil gas station at the intersection of Fort and Goddard streets. Bowens has previous convictions for weapons and breaking and entering charges, and faces stiffer penalties when sentenced.

Police responded on Saturday, March 24 to reports of an attempted armed robbery at the gas station, and of a man running along Ecorse Creek. Bowens surrendered without incident when cornered by police, and admitted to having thrown a knife in the creek.

At the gas station, police interviewed Barney Trusewicz, who resisted Bowens’ attempt to car-jack his 2012 Ford Fusion. Trusewicz was inside the station when Bowens climbed into the Fusion, threatening 78-year-old Constance Trusewicz with a knife.

Trusewicz returned and grabbed Bowens’ arm while turning off the ignition before Bowens could drive away. Following a short struggle, Bowens left and ran towards the creek.

Several witnesses at the gas station described the encounter to police, including a description of the heavily-tattooed Bowens.

Prior to the attempted car-jacking, Bowens had been a resident of a halfway house on Goddard Road since being paroled in December 2011. He was held in Wayne County Jail without bond as a habitual offender.

Bowens pleaded guilty Monday to one count of car-jacking; a second count was dismissed by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Carole Youngblood.

Amanda Clayton, 25, was charged last month by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette with two felony counts of welfare fraud; Clayton allegedly continued to collect state assistance after winning a $1 million jackpot. According to investigators, Clayton failed to inform the state of her prize winnings and change of employment status.

Clayton participated in the Michigan Lottery TV show “Make Me Rich!” in September 2011, and opted to take the million-dollar prize as a lump sum of $735,000. The Lincoln Park woman reportedly purchased a new house and car with the winnings, and continued collecting $200 a month in food assistance with a Bridge card, and received medical assistance.

State law requires Bridge card recipients to report changes in income, and Clayton was employed from June through October 2011. In the wake of Clayton’s arraignment, the Michigan Legislature approved amendments requiring lottery winners on welfare to report winnings of more than $1,000.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

Kyle Holland was killed on July 12, 2010, not long after he and his mother moved in with Adkins to a house in the 1500 block of Empire Street. During lengthy preliminary hearings, witnesses including police investigators, neighbors, friends and forensic experts testified that Kyle suffered more than 80 puncture wounds and 250 abrasions during an attack by a 90-pound German shepherd/husky mix.

Holland and Adkins entered their pleas April 20 before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Annette Berry Holland pleaded guilty to all three charges she faced: Involuntary manslaughter, a felony, second degree child abuse and accessory after the fact to a felony for involvement with Adkins’ marijuana. Prosecutors maintained that Adkins was growing marijuana in the basement, and that after discovering that Kyle had been killed the two attempted to destroy more than a dozen marijuana plants before calling the police. Adkins pleaded guilty to owning a dangerous animal causing death, a charge similar to manslaughter.

Two dogs belonging to Adkins —Chase, the husky mix determined to have killed the boy, and a black labrador — were being kept at the Allen Park Animal Shelter. A determination on the animals’ fate had yet to be reached and will likely await conclusion of the sentencing.

Speculation was aired during the preliminary examinations in Lincoln Park’s 25th District Court that the responsible dog was an illegal wolf-hybrid. Judge David Zelenak dismissed arguments for or against that statement:

“Is this animal dangerous,” Zelenak stated rhetorically. “That’s what this examination is all about.”

Witnesses during the preliminary examinations testified that Chase had a history of aggressive behavior; that Adkins described the dog as a “wolf” to Holland’s other son; and that the couple left Kyle, partly disabled, unguarded when the animal was typically kept in a cage.

Holland faces up to 15 years in prison; the plea agreement for Adkins resulted in a sentence of 24 months to 15 years. Sentencing is scheduled for July 13.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK — A local woman whose lottery story went viral after it was discovered she continued to collect state assistance after winning a $1 million prize was charged with two counts of welfare fraud.

Lincoln Park police Monday obtained warrants to charge Amanda Clayton, 24, with two felony counts of welfare fraud as filed by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. Clayton stood mute Tuesday during an appearance before 25th District Court Judge Michael Ciungan.

Clayton was issued a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear Tuesday for a preliminary examination.

Clayton raised eyebrows across the state and around the world last month when, after winning a $1 million Michigan Lottery prize, it was revealed that she continued collecting state assistance. Clayton admitted that she used food stamps for several months after accepting a $700,000 lump sum, with which she bought a new house and car.

“It’s simply common sense that million dollar lottery winners forfeit their right to public assistance,” Schuette said in a statement. “We will continue to work with local, state and federal authorities to uphold state laws intended to ensure wise stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”

Schuette has tougher laws to enforce after legislation was approved last month requiring lottery winners of more than $1,000 who receive state assistance must notify the Department of Human Services to determine continued eligibility.

Clayton acknowledged last month that she continued to receive $200 in monthly food aid with a Bridge Card, even after the Sept. 12 “Make Me Rich” Michigan Lottery game show during which she was awarded $1 million.

Further, Clayton received more than $5,400 in food and medical assistance from August 2011 until last month; the Attorney General’s investigation reported that Clayton was employed from June through October 2011, but had not reported her income, as required at the time by state law.

Welfare fraud is punishable by up to four years in prison.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK — After a lengthy review process by city building officials, the city council Monday approved the removal of 10 buildings that were determined to be dangerous blight.

“My inspectors identify structures that are boarded up, fire damaged or vacant,” Dennis Chegash, Building and Engineering Manager said. “They’re substandard any way you look at it. If they meet the majority of criteria, they can be declared ‘dangerous.’”

Chegash said the buildings — mostly houses and a few vacant businesses such as a Coney Island in the 1600 block of Fort Street — were subjected to a public hearing Monday before the City Council. Leading up to the hearing, property or land owners are provided an opportunity to make sufficient repairs for the building to be declared safe again.

“Most of them have been fire damaged,” Chegash said of the 10 chosen buildings. “There are a couple that are just in deplorable condition due to neglect.”

More than just an eyesore, abandoned buildings attract thieves looking for copper piping or other valuables, and also invite squatters, drug abusers and other problems.

“It’s more than just a nuisance,” Chegash said, citing broken glass, rodent populations and other health hazards of vacant buildings.

Last week’s approval to raze the buildings was another step in a long procedure from initial report to demolition.

“It’s a lengthy process,” Chegash said. “Potentially this is someone’s home, and you don’t want to haphazardly tear it down. It’s been legally hashed out so that the city is held harmless in the end.”

Photo by James Mitchell
The private home at 1474 Lafayette is among the structures cleared for demolition by the Lincoln Park City Council.

Of the 10 structures, one house in the 1400 block of Buckingham may be repaired if the property owner completes a list of repairs within a reasonable time frame.

Demolition of the other buildings is still months away, Chegash said, as utilities need to be disconnected, which sometimes takes months.

“We’re doing the best we can to keep the city free of blight,” Chegash said.

Along with the Coney Island and a house on Buckingham, the order to demolish buildings in the 1400 block of Pagel; the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Lafayette; the 1500 block of Applewood; the 1900 block of Reo; the 2000 block of Chandler; and the 2100 block of Fort Park.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

Police were called to the 1400 block of Mill Avenue shortly after 6:30 p.m. Monday after a woman returned home from work and discovered her house had been ransacked and looted. Along with several credit cards, the woman reported the theft of a 50-inch TV valued at $800, a $200 Dell computer monitor, several watches and jewelry.

A neighbor told responding police officers that he’d seen a dark blue Chrysler minivan pull into the victim’s driveway that morning, from which a man entered the house. The neighbor took note of the van’s license plate number and provided it to police along with a description of David.

The woman told police she’d seen a similar van cruising by just before she left for work that morning, shortly after 6 a.m.

Investigating officers went to the Detroit address listed for the van, which was not in the area. However, while driving back toward Lincoln Park, the officers spotted the van traveling on Lafayette Avenue towards Southfield, recognized David, who matched the neighbor’s description, and conducted a traffic stop at Southfield and Dix and placed David under arrest.

A search warrant was obtained, and investigators searched David’s residence in the 1500 block of Lincoln.

“Officers searched the home and were able to locate many of the items from the home invasion,” police reported.

David will next appear in court during a May 1 preliminary exam. Zelenak set a $50,000 cash bond, and David remained in custody at press time.