News

Actions

Man charged with MotorCity Casino carjacking

Posted at 8:11 AM, Sep 22, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-22 08:11:46-04

New details are being released about the man accused of carjacking two women at MotorCity Casino.

In Detroit, it's an all too familiar crime. But police say the suspect is not your typical carjacker. Wayne Jones, 49, was arrested for the first time in his life Saturday.

“He was employed, had a very good job, but unfortunately had a gambling addiction and based off that gambling addiction caused him to make a desperate act,” says Sgt. Jonathan Parnell.

That desperate act was carjacking two elderly sisters as they left MotorCity Casino in the early morning hours of September 16.

He forced the ladies into their PT Cruiser at gunpoint before ordering them out of the car and driving away. Police say it was a crime of opportunity.

“He was just in debt, says Parnell. “He came out on the losing end at the casino and made a desperate choice which was obviously to carjack someone.”

Jones may have been broke and desperate.  But he was also gainfully employed.

“He worked at US Steel,” says Parnell. “He made good money at US Steel.”

How much? Over $100,000 - That's right.  Jones is a six figure violent offender who threatened the lives of two elderly women for their car and $27.

Crime is not his forte.  He even returned to the scene of the crime with the victims' car so he could pick up his own.

Using surveillance video, Detroit police identified Jones and ended his short criminal career.