Man Sentenced In Carjacking At MotorCity Casino Garage
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A 49-year-old man has been sentenced to up to 22 years in prison in the robbery and carjacking of two elderly women as they were leaving a Detroit casino.
The Detroit News reports Wayne Jones of Wayne County's Redford Township learned his punishment Tuesday after earlier pleading guilty to charges in the case.
Jones apologized in court, saying he made a "bad choice" now must "pay for it."
In what was described as a crime of opportunity, authorities said Jones followed a 68-year-old Sterling Heights woman and a 78-year-old Clinton Township woman out of the casino, at around 5:30 a.m. on Sept. 17 , and onto the roof of the parking garage. As the pair entered their PT Cruiser, Jones 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 later told investigators he had a gambling problem and was trying to get money to pay off a debt.
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