Detroit Pastor Marvin Winans Assaulted, Carjacked
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Popular pastor and gospel singer Marvin Winans has been assaulted and carjacked at a Detroit gas station.
Winans, 54, told reporters he was pumping gas when four or five young men jumped him Wednesday afternoon.
Detroit police on the scene at the Citgo gas station on Linwood at Davison said the incident happened at around 3:30 p.m. Police said the men beat Winans up before taking his Rolex watch and about $200 in cash. They then took off in Winans' luxury SUV.
Winans described the attack as "quite savage," but said he wasn't seriously injured. He said "this kind of nonsense just has to stop."
Winans is well-known as a member of a legendary gospel music family and as pastor of the 4,500-member Perfecting Church on Detroit's east side. He gained national notoriety when he gave singer Whitney Houston's eulogy in February.
He also has been very active in civic issues, including the stand against the proliferation of strip clubs in Detroit.
Police said there was no gun used in the assault.
There is no surveillance tape of the incident.
Police are looking for help in locating Winans' stolen burgundy Infiniti QX56 SUV. Anyone with information should call Detroit police at 313-596-1000.
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