DETROIT (WWJ) -- The owner of a Detroit convenience store is facing up to 10 years in prison after allegedly assaulting a customer back in March.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office says around 8 p.m. on March 12, 47-year-old Andrea Warren of Detroit walked into a convenience store in the 15000 block of Puritan Street -- near Greenfield and McNichols on the city's west side -- to purchase a drink.
The owner of the store, 50-year-old Bassam Yatoom of West Bloomfield, apparently didn't want her in the store, and confronted her. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy alleges Yatooma walked over to Warren, grabbed her and dragged her across the floor. He allegedly punched her on the right side of her face and placed his hands around her neck, strangling her.
A witness at the scene says Warren's right eye was visibly red and swollen after the incident. Medics at the scene saw Warren bleeding from the nose and she was taken to a nearby hospital and diagnosed with a fractured nose.
Authorities have not disclosed what may have escalated the situation or why Yatooma did not want Warren in his store.
Yatooma has been charged with one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder or by strangulation. That's a felony that carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
He was also charged with one count of aggravated assault, a one-year misdemeanor.
"The facts in this case are very unsettling. The alleged actions taken by this defendant are really beyond comprehension when the totality of the circumstances are examined," Worthy said.
Yatooma was arraigned Monday in 36th District Court in Detroit and given a $50,000 bond or 10% with a GPS tether. He was also ordered to surrender his passport and have no contact with the complaining witness.
Yatooma is due back in court for a probable cause conference on June 14 and a preliminary examination on June 21.
