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.