PITTSFIELD TWP. (WWJ) - A man wanted for allegedly holding a knife to a 7-year-old girl's throat and threatening to kill her during an attempted robbery is reportedly in police custody.
Multiple reports say 57-year-old Melvin Francis Sroufe of Washtenaw County turned himself in to police Monday night.
The shocking crime happened Sunday afternoon, according to Pittsfield Township police, outside a grocery store in the 3800 block of Carpenter Road.
Police said a 35-year-old Ypsilanti Township woman and her daughter were loading groceries into their car, at around 1:40 p.m., when the suspect appeared, grabbed the little girl and placed a large knife to her throat.
Police said Sroufe demanded that the mother get into her vehicle or he would kill her daughter.
Witnesses saw what was happening and intervened, police said, speaking to Sroufe and somehow getting him to release the child. Police said Sroufe stole the victim’s wallet from the shopping cart before fleeing on foot towards Ellsworth Rd..
The vicitms were unharmed.
The Pittsfield Police K9 team responded to the scene and initiated a track, which led to the recovery of evidence from the suspect and the victim’s property. Further investigation led to Sroufe's identity, but police hadn't been able to find him until Monday night.
He was wanted on charges of assault with intent to murder, armed robbery and attempted abduction.