Officials: Man Robbed, Carjacked Grandmothers At Detroit Casino Over Gambling Debt
DETROIT (WWJ) - A 49-year-old Redford man accused of victimizing two Macomb County women at a Detroit casino has been arraigned on armed robbery and carjacking charges.
Investigators say Wayne Jones had a gambling problem and was trying to get money to pay off a debt when he allegedly targeted the women last Thursday at the Motor City Casino.
In what was described as a crime of opportunity, authorities say Jones followed a 68-year-old Sterling Heights woman and a 78-year-old Clinton Township woman out of the casino around 5:30 a.m. and onto the roof of the parking garage. As the women entered their PT Cruiser, Jones allegedly got into the car with them and pulled out a hand gun. He demanded money, took their purses and forced the younger woman to drive.
Once they reached a field on the west side, near Schoolcraft and Appoline Street, Jones ordered the women out of the car and drove away, police said. The women then walked about two miles before a Good Samaritan helped them to a police precinct. Neither woman was injured.
According to reports, Jones later returned to the casino parking garage to exchange the stolen vehicle for his own. His image was caught on security cameras, which assisted police in breaking the case.
Jones was arrested at his job on Saturday and arraigned Monday on two counts of carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of unlawful imprisonment and two counts of felony firearm. He is currently being held on a $100,000 bond ahead of a preliminary exam on October 5.
According to reports, Jones is a six-figure earning employee at US Steel.