FeedsBenefits planned for Wayne business owner; reward offered for robbery suspect
The Wayne community is rallying behind a business owner that was injured during a robbery on Tuesday night.
The Wayne Chamber of Commerce is reaching out to businesses in Wayne and Westland to establish a reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect who stabbed Kimberly Loveless as she was closing up her store on Tuesday night.
“The community is really coming together on this one,” said John Williams, chief of the Wayne Police Department. “We’ve gotten a lot of leads already.”
Loveless, a life-long resident of Wayne, is the owner of The Acorn Shop on Wayne Road, just north of Michigan Avenue. As she closed up at about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a man forced his way into the shop and threatened her with a knife, according to police.
She told the suspect he could take anything he wanted as long as he didn’t hurt her, but he stabbed her several times, grabbed her purse and fled on foot, according to Williams.
“We don’t think this was just about the money,” Williams said. “Something fueled him. He had every opportunity to take the purse and leave.
“It’s essential that we get this person off the street,” he added.
“This person is extremely violent,” said City Manager John Zech. “We need to catch this person before he can do this to anyone else.”
The suspect is described as an African American man about six feet tall and between the ages of 25 and 35. He wore a black hooded sweatshirt during the robbery and had a scarf concealing most of his face.
Police are seeking leads through the detective bureau, which can be reached at (734) 721-1414 or through Crimestoppers at (800) SPEAKUP. Crimestoppers is offering a reward, too, but that organization limits it to $1,000.
“Sometimes that’s not enough to get someone to come forward,” Williams said.
The Wayne Chamber is setting up a $5,000 reward fund. Those who want to contribute to it should send a donation to the Wayne Chamber of Commerce FBO (For Benefit Of) Kim Loveless 34844 W. Michigan Ave, Wayne, MI 48184.
A dinner benefit is also scheduled for noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at the Wayne Community Center on Howe and Annapolis roads.
Papa Romano’s in Wayne will provide food for the event, and anyone is welcome to attend to show support.
“It’s very important for the community to come out strong on this and send a message to the criminals,” said Wayne Mayor Al Haidous. “It means a lot to be successful with this one.”
Williams said the community can be a big help solving these kinds of cases.
“The police need everyone,” he said. “We can have thousands of people out there trying to help us bring this to a conclusion.
“It doesn’t matter how trivial you think (a tip) might be,” he added. “The police want to know about it.”
Loveless is recuperating at an area hospital, according to her husband, Brad.
