Maintenance Workers Credited With Saving 64-Year-Old Woman During Brutal Beating, Home Invasion
WESTLAND (WWJ) - Two maintenance men are being credited with saving a woman's life and helping to put a burglar behind bars.
The incident unfolded around 3:15 p.m. last Thursday Aug. 20 in the 37800 block of Westwood Circle, in a neighborhood near Joy and Newburgh roads in Westland.
Police say a 64-year-old woman was home alone when she answered a knock at her door and the suspect, later identified as 21-year old Shadonn Jenkins, asked her for a ride.
The woman told police she closed her door and called the front office to report a stranger in the building. Just as she hung up the phone, she noticed Jenkins entering her apartment through a sliding glass door. Jenkins then began assaulting the woman, according to police.
As the assault was taking place, two maintenance workers in the area observed what was going on and ran to offer aid. Jenkins then took off on foot, police said.
While one of the men tended to the woman, the other man called 911 and followed Jenkins -- keeping him in sight until police arrived and took him into custody without further incident.
The woman, who was severely beaten, was rushed to a local hospital for treatment.
"There is a clear message that in Westland our citizens watch out for each other," Mayor William Wild said in a statement. "If you do something wrong in Westland, you will get caught. Our citizens are the greatest resource to be the eyes and ears for police and help each other out."
Jenkins is now facing charges of assault with intent to commit murder, first degree home invasion, assault by strangulation and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. He was ordered jailed on a $750,000 bond ahead of a Sept. 3 probable cause conference.
Police made special note that the case was brought to such a speedy closure due to the involvement of two concerned citizens.
"This is another reminder of how important it is to always be aware of your surroundings and have all eyes on deck," Police Chief Jeff Jedrusik said in a statement. "If you have elderly relatives or neighbors, check on them regularly and get to know their neighbors so they too can keep an eye on our older citizens who are often the most vulnerable."
