Share:
Font Size:
News Updates - Week of August 5 - 11, 2018
NEWS UPDATES
Monday, August 6, 2018
Inkster Mom Leaves Toddler Unattended to Gamble at Motor City Casino
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Talayia Lara Renee Wellams, 25 (DOB: 10/29/1992), of Inkster, in connection with leaving her three-year-old son unattended, and without adult supervision, at Motor City Casino parking garage.
On August 3, 2018 at approximately 7:20 a.m., Motor City Casino Security discovered a three-year-old toddler alone in a vehicle parked on the third floor of the Motor City Casino parking garage. Casino security discovered the toddler alone approximately five hours later and conducted an investigation, and found the defendant and her aunt gambling inside the casino.
Wellams has been charged with Child Abuse - Second Degree and Leaving a Child in a Car Unattended*. She was arraigned on Saturday, August 4, 2018 in 34th District Court. The probable cause conference is scheduled for August 10, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.; the preliminary examination is scheduled for August 17, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Both hearings are before Judge William McConico in 36th District Court. The defendant received a $50,000/10% bond. Please contact the Detroit Police Department for a photograph of the defendant.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Belleville Man Charged in DPD Officer's Pedestrian Hit-and-Run
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Jonathan David Cole, 19, (DOB: 12/10/1998), of Belleville, MI, in connection with the hit-and-run pedestrian car crash that severely injured Detroit Police Officer Fadi Shukur, 30.
On August 4, 2018 at approximately 2:40 a.m., Detroit police officers were on the scene to assist with a crowd control issue at a location in the 18800 block of West McNichols near Stahelin Street in Detroit. It is alleged that while Officer Shukur was walking to his scout car, the defendant struck him with his vehicle which was traveling at a high rate of speed. The defendant fled the scene, but later turned himself in at a Detroit Police precinct.
Cole has been charged with Reckless Driving Causing Serious Impairment to a Bodily Function and Failure to Stop at the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Impairment*. He was arraigned at 10:30 a.m. this morning in 36th District Court before Magistrate Millicent Sherman. The probable cause conference is scheduled for August 14, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.; the preliminary examination is scheduled for August 21, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Both hearings are before Judge Kenneth King in 36th District Court. The defendant received a $150,000/cash/surety bond; no contact with any witness including his mother and father.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Otter Lake Woman Charged with Second Degree Murder
in Lappin Street Fatal Car Crash
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Alyssa Marie Verbeke, 28 (DOB: 06/05/1990) of Otter Lake, MI, in connection with the fatal car crash the killed Daziah Tanae Crawford, 19, of Detroit.
On August 5, 2018, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Detroit Police responded to the scene of a car crash at Fairport Street and Lappin Street in Detroit. It is alleged that the defendant was driving southbound Fairport Street, fleeing Warren police, when she struck the victim's vehicle, which was traveling eastbound on Lappin. It is further alleged that Verbeke was driving under the influence of drugs. The defendant fled the scene on foot, but was apprehended by Warren police. Detroit emergency medics conveyed all the individuals to a local hospital for treatment. The victim succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
Verbeke has been charged with: Second Degree Murder; Fleeing a Police Officer First Degree ; Reckless Driving Causing Death; Operating - License Suspended, Revoked, Denied - Causing Death; and Controlled Substance - Possession of a Controlled Substance Less Than 25 Grams*. She was arraigned and remanded to jail today in 36th District Court. Her Probable Cause Conference is on August 22, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. and her Preliminary Examination is on August 28, 2018 at 9:00 a.m., both before Judge Deborah Lewis Langston.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Livonia COPE Case - Defendant Thomas May, 59, (DOB: 02/27/1959), of Westland, had his preliminary examination today on Vulnerable Adult Abuse 3rd Degree, and Assault and Battery charges. After hearing the evidence in the case the judge bound May over on Assault and Battery only. Defendant Victor Peterson, 60, (DOB: 12/11/1957), of River Rouge, and Defendant Delvan Johnson, 24, (DOB: 11/29/1993) of Redford, had their preliminary examinations today and were bound over as charged on Vulnerable Adult Abuse 3rd Degree, Assault and Battery. Their next court date is on August 23, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. in Wayne County Third Circuit Court.
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Detroit Mother Charged In Death of Three-Year-Old
Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Charlessia Pelt, 27, (DOB:02/27/91), of Detroit, in connection with the death of her three-year-old son. On August 6, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. it is alleged that Pelt was driving her van at Seven Mile and Hayes with her son unrestrained in the rear passenger seat when she drove through a red light striking another car. The impact of the collision caused the child to be ejected on to the street. Pelt's van rolled backwards over the child and stuck a parked car. It is alleged that Pelt was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Her son was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead.
Pelt has been charged with*:
I. Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) Causing Death;
2. Reckless Driving Causing Death;
3. Child Abuse 2nd Degree;
4. Child Abuse 2nd Degree;
5. Child Abuse 2nd Degree;
6. Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)-Occupant;
7 OWI - Occupant; and
8. OWI - Occupant*.
The defendant will be arraigned in 34th District Court on Sunday, August 12, 2018 after 11:00 a.m.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Detroit Father Charged in Romulus I-94 Fatal Car Crash
Prosecutor Worthy has charged Wilburt Dion Thomas, 47 (DOB:11/04/1970), of Detroit, in connection with a fatal car crash that killed his seven-year-old daughter. On July 15, 2018, on I-94 west of Inkster at 1:47a.m. it is alleged that Thomas was driving a stolen van under the influence of alcohol and marijuana with his seven-year-old daughter in the car. It is further alleged that he crashed the van into a disabled car parked on the shoulder of the road and struck a fence. The defendant allowed his daughter to walk away from the accidnet scene unsupervised. While the child was walking in search of help, she was fatally struck by another vehicle driven by a woman. The woman immediately contacted the police.* The child succumbed to injuries sustained during the car crash. Thomas was taken to a local hosptial and later released.
Thomas was charged while he was not in custody with: Second Degree Murder 750.317 Life; Involuntary Manslaughter (15 years); Child Abuse - Second Degree (10 years); Operating Under the Influence Occupant ( one year); Controlled - Possession of Marijuana 333.74032D (one year); and Alcohol - Open Container (90 days).**
Prosecutor Worthy said, "The confluence of events in this case caused the untimely death of the defendant's young daughter. The alleged actions of the father included driving a stolen car while highly intoxicated, having open intoxicants and marijuana in the car, crashing into a disabled car, and allowing his daughter to leave the car and walk alone across the highway to her death. This is a tragic and devastating case."On the evening of Friday, August 10, 2018 Thomas was arrested and placed in custody by the Romulus Police Department.He was arraigned in 34th District Court in Romulus today and received a one million dollar/10% bond. His Probable Cause Conference is on August 22, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. and his Preliminary Examination is on August 29, 2018. Please request a photograph of the defendant from the Romulus Police Department.
*The warrant request for the female driver is currently being reviewed, no decision has been made at this time. **The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Defendant Wilburt Thomas Charged in Livonia Car Theft
Prosecutor Worthy has charged Wilbert Dion Thomas, 47 (DOB:11/04/1970), of Detroit, with a Motor Vehicle - Unlawfully Driving Away (five years), and Larceny in a Building ( four years) in connection with stealing a van from a transportation company located in the 34935 block of Schoolcraft in Livonia.* On July 13, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. it is alleged that Thomas was an employee of the company as a driver when he stole a car key and took a van without permission from the company lot. During the investigation of the fatal car crash that killed Thomas's seven-year-old daughter it was discovered that Thomas was driving a stolen van.
Thomas was arrested and placed in custody on Friday, August 10, 2018 by the Romulus Police Department. He was arraigned in 34th District Court in Romulus today and received a one million dollar/10% bond. His Probable Cause Conference is on August 22, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. and his Preliminary Examination is on August 29, 2018. Please request a photograph of the defendant from the Romulus Police Department.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
#####
