Ypsilanti business owner says son fended off would-be thief
Drew Maynard
From Facebook
Mike Maynard can’t thank Ypsilanti police enough.
After all, officers quickly arrested the would-be thief they say punched Maynard's son in the face during a robbery attempt at Angel Food Catering, the Maynards' downtown Ypsilanti business, early Tuesday.
Maynard said his 22-year-old son, Drew, was working late in the kitchen at the family business when he heard a window being smashed.
“He heard the crash of the glass breaking, then the guy was around the corner right away,” Maynard said.
The intruder panicked and struck Drew in the face.
“He took the punch,” Maynard said, adding that Drew didn’t strike back because he was so surprised.
The 22-year-old had some bruising to his face, but did not require medical treatment.
The suspect fled the scene soon after the short scuffle with Drew.
“The guy realized there was no money and took off out the front door,” Maynard said.
Drew called 911 and police were at the building, 6 W. Michigan Ave., in minutes.
“We're real proud Drew got the police in here so quickly,” Maynard said.
With the assistance of a police dog, officers tracked down the suspect within 15 or 20 minutes.
Ypsilanti police said they arrested a 57-year-old man within three blocks of the catering business. He was taken to the Washtenaw County Jail, where he will likely be arraigned Wednesday on charges of breaking and entering and attempted strong-arm robbery.
Nothing was taken from the business. In fact, Maynard says his catering business, which closed at 5 p.m. and doesn't get much foot traffic., does nearly all credit card or check transactions.
“It would be like going in to rob the library,” he said about the lack of cash in the business.
Maynard couldn't thank the Ypsilanti Police Department enough -- with words and gestures.
Early Tuesday, when Maynard arrived at his business around 1 a.m. to deal with the break-in, he said he supplied officers with boxed lunches.
"They did a great job," he said.
Angel Food Catering is generally hired for weddings, corporate outings and other events, according to its website.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Jay Thomas
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 6:25 p.m.
Drew should carry a gun. Next time the perp might be armed with more than his fists.
ypsigirl420
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 1 p.m.
Good Job to Ypsilanti Police!!! It is so nice to here they got the bad guy!! I wonder if this is the same person who broke into the Wolverine last week?
CycleGirl
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 12:42 p.m.
GOOD JOB YPD! I wonder if this is the same guy that broke into the Wolverine?
PineyWoodsGuy
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 4:37 a.m.
The Maynards are truly "good people;" they deliver a superb food product at a reasonable price. I am so glad this criminal event turned out with relatively minor injury to young Mr. Maynard.
brian
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 3:32 a.m.
Excellent job YPD as usual. Wish I could give you guys a raise because you deserve it.
ribs1
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 1:20 a.m.
Nice work by the police. Sorry you guys had to endure this. These guys catered our wedding and I couldn't have been happier. Great people.
Mark Hergott
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 1:09 a.m.
The Maynards and their business have been a landmark on my way home for decades. I wish Drew the best, and hope this suspect is tried, convicted, and imprisoned to the fullest extent under the law. Violence is not to be tolerated here.
An Arborigine
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 12:59 a.m.
Props to Drew, sometimes we must take things into our own hands and he was ready!
Jay Thomas
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 6:23 p.m.
He got punched and called the police when the guy left. How does that make him "ready"?